Uncertainties in the 2019 stock assessment for Indian Ocean albacore tuna and suggestions of further researches in 2020 for improving the assessment and providing management advice

The stock status of Indian Ocean albacore tuna was assessed in WPTmT07 held in July 2019, and the stock status was recognized as “not overfished” but “subject to overfishing”. However, at the same time, the assessment result was regarded as subject to high uncertainties. By summarizing the main uncertainties in the assessment and observations of potential improvements both in fishery data and biological information, we strongly suggest conducting an assessment meeting for albacore tuna in 2020. This will not be a meeting for a new full assessment, but to update the 2019 assessments using new information on biology, most recent catch data, revised CPUE indices, improved recruitment estimates for projection and wider ranges of natural mortality and steepness.