Evaluating the impact of multi-year research catch limits on overfished toothfish populations

In stocks that have been depleted by overfishing, the benefits of additional fisheries removals for research purposes need to be evaluated against the risks that such catches may contribute to delaying the recovery of such stocks. Through simulating a Dissostichus eleginoides stock that has been subjected to varying levels of overfishing and research catches, this study show that stocks can take decades to recover even in the absence of fishing, and apparently low levels of research catches can significantly delay the recovery of a stock. Research catches in excess of 0.6% of B0 should be avoided to ensure that research doesn’t significantly impact on the recovery of depleted stocks in the long term.