2013 Assessment of the Squid Stock Complex in the Gulf of Alaska

April 23, 2013

Squids in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) are managed as a single stock complex comprising approximately 15 species. Harvest recommendations are based on an historical catch approach setting OFL equal to maximum historical catch during 1997 - 2007 and ABC equal to 0.75 * OFL. Gulf of Alaska squids are normally on a biennial stock assessment schedule, with full assessments due in odd years. In 2013 however, the shutdown of the federal government limited the amount of time to prepare assessments and the author was requested to do only an executive summary similar to an “off-year” assessment. The full assessment from 2011 is available online (www.afsc.noaa.gov/REFM/docs/2011/GOAsquid.pdf).