AN OVERVIEW OF THE APPLICATION OF THE DAILY EGG-PRODUCTION METHOD IN THE ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF ANCHOVY IN THE SOUTHEAST ATLANTIC

Annual estimates of anchovy spawner biomass using the daily egg-produc tion method have been obtained from surveys conducted off South Africa since 1984. These have been combined with estimates obtained from hyd ro-acoustics on the same surveys, to provide a basis for annual adjust ment of a total allowable catch (TAC). This TAC is aimed at maintainin g constant risk of spawning escapement relative to 50% of the estimate d unexploited biomass. Initial estimates of risk based on spawner stoc k size are updated once the strength of the recruiting year class has been determined by hydro-acoustics. Using the hydro-acoustic and daily egg production estimates together allows greater accuracy than would be possible using only one of the estimates.