Les pêcheries mixtes de langoustine et de merlu du golfe de Gascogne. Description, préparation à une modélisation et à une simulation des procédures de gestion

1 - Study's goals review The management of Norway Lobster and Hake fisheries can be considered as the most important issue in the Gascogne gulf. Calculation methods used to evaluate prediction variations under various efforts and mesh constraints all pinpoint to the crucial role narrow mesh fishing plays in Hakes' Northern stock status. The involvement of Gascogne gulf Norway Lobster fisheries regarding Hakes over exploitation seems over dimensioned when comparing the size of both of these stocks. Hake stocks spread from Northern Great Britain to Northern Spain, while Norway Lobster stocks are located in the Gascogne gulf's mud flats. The biological solution is well known and consists in globally increasing mesh nets to 80mm which would bring up Hakes yield to its most. It would be unreal to pretend all parties involved in Hake stocks will come to use them. For now, it is mostly an economical issue since many vessels continue on with an exploitation scheme dating from the 60's and fish on coastal mud flats which are the most exploited zones and where their catch is detrimental to juvenile class Hakes and Norway Lobsters. Considering our limited time, this study will cover bio- economical modelisation preparation. You will therefore find a description of fisheries and an exploitation assessment based on 1986's available data. 2 - Accomplished work 2. 1 Fishery description Presenting the problems and preparing ulterior analyses was first and foremost. Norway Lobster vessels supposedly, according to evaluation models used, test immature Hakes in such a manner that all stock exploitation is jeopardized. Norway Lobster distribution is closely linked to the nature of the ocean floor since it can only build its habitat on fine sediment. Hakes' habitat is not as restrictive and is linked to food supply, especially euphausiid shrimps, so they can be found on sandy and sandy-sedimental floors. Norway Lobsters are sought by a fleet of 400 to 450 ships which characteristics widely vary according to their home port. On the northern part, fisheries are close to exploitation ports where Norway Lobsters and miscellaneous catch yield is sufficient to support an older fleet. On the southern part, the structure is diversified and flexibility usually rules, more modern vessels can easily switch their target on a seasonal or daily basis. Globally, Hakes' northern stocks are slightly on the rise. This rise is probably due to global mesh size increase, even if slight and a decrease on fishing effort where immature species are caught. Norway Lobster stocks unloading is stable or slightly lower and yields, as far as northern fishery are concerned, vary and oscillate between ±15 to ±20 % at about an average of 100 kg/day. Biological parameters used in the evaluations for each species are those used in CIEM and CEE work cells. Among those parameters, those describing growth are the greatest. For Hakes, an intermediary growth equation between males and females has been used. For Norway Lobsters, both sexes are treated separately. Simulations were carried out according to 3 types of data: Norway Lobster vessels fishing effort variations. Norway Lobster vessels mesh increase. Norway Lobster vessels fishing effort decrease or mesh increasing go along in the same direction for Hake and Norway Lobster stock production (chart A and B). Lastly, a brief study on results evaluation significance was done to modify: - the size of Hake rejects by Norway Lobster vessels. The range of sizes stays the same but the amount in each class varies according to the same percentage. - Norway Lobsters growth parameters, both values used (L» = 76 mm and k = 0.11 for males, L°° = 56 mm and k = 0.14 for females) representing the "high" hypothesis. In the first case, a 20% error rate for rejects evaluation with 60 mm mesh would only bring a 3% modification rate on global stock production. Those first results are contradicting usual evaluation conclusions and it will be necessary to recalculate by modifying the size class step. In the second case, to decrease L» and increase growth speed, in time production variations remain within usual inter annual fluctuations. In all figure cases, calculations confirming greater yield for in time production through hypothetical mesh size increase to 60 mm, are definitely well founded.