This is what we know: Assessing the stock status of the data-poor common sole on the Iberian coast. (5th March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pennino, Maria Grazia; Cousido-Rocha, Marta; Maia, Catarina; Rocha, Alberto; Figueiredo, Ivone; Alonso-Fernández, Alexandre; Silva, Cristina; Izquierdo, Francisco; Castro, José; Teruel Gomez, Josefina; Rodriguez, José; Cerviño, Santiago
• Is Part Of: Estuarine, coastal and shelf science. Volume 266(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03-05
• Subjects: Data-limited fisheries -- Stock assessment -- LBI -- LBSPR -- Mean length Z -- Solea solea; Estuarine oceanography -- Periodicals; Coasts -- Periodicals; Estuarine biology -- Periodicals; Seashore biology -- Periodicals; Coasts; Estuarine biology; Estuarine oceanography; Seashore biology; Periodicals; 551.461805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecss.2022.107747
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-7714

Abstract

Abstract: In the Iberian Coast region, the common sole ( Solea solea ) is considered a very relevant species due to its high commercial value. Despite its importance, the current status of this stock is still poorly known due to the scarcity of available data to apply formal assessment methods. In data-poor situations length-based methods have been widely applied to estimate biological parameters and to understand the dynamics of marine stocks. In this study we evaluate the status of common sole in the Iberian Coast region using the following three different length-based methods: (1) the length-based indicators, (2) the length-based spawning potential ratio and (3) the mean length-based mortality estimators. Overall, the three methods agree that this stock appears to be exploited at the maximum sustainable yield level, the immatures are well preserved whereas the proportion of large mature individuals is relatively low, although it has been increased in the last years. Assessing the status of this valuable stock through data-limited methods is the first step towards designing and implementing effective management measures. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: In the Iberian coast region, the common sole is an important commercial species. Little is known on the current common sole status in the studied area. Three data-limited methods were applied to evaluate the common sole status. The three methods suggest exploitation at Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY). Only the proportion of large individuals is relatively low.