Support to a robust model assessment, benchmark and development of a management strategy evaluation for cod in NAFO Division 3M

The purpose of this specific study is to provide the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE) and the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Scientific Council with technical and scientific analysis to: 

• Address the shortcomings of the current assessment model, identified by the NAFO Working Group on Risk Based Management Strategies (WG-RBMS) (NAFO FC/SC 15/02), the Scientific Council (SC) (NAFO SCS 15/12) and the Fisheries Commission (FC) (NAFO/FC 15/23) in 2015.
• Support the development of the 3M cod benchmark process within NAFO.
• Develop and test the robustness of various Harvest Control Rules (HCR) for cod in Div. 3M to achieve the management objectives to be established by the FC.