Report of the Study Group on Biological Reference Points for Northeast Arctic cod

A Study Group on Biological Reference Points for Northeast Arctic Cod [SGBRP] (Chair: Y. Kovalev, Russia) will be established and will meet in Svanhovd, Norway from January 13 to 17 2003 to:

a) determine the most appropriate time period for estimating biomass and fishing mortality reference points for this stock;

b) review the framework for calculating reference points established by SGPA in December 2002 and specify the technical basis for the reference point calculations;

c) propose reference points based on a) and b). In the event that agreement is not reached on a) and b) different alternatives will be formulated and compared.

SGBRP will report by 24 January 2003 for the attention of ACFM. It will report directly to SGPRP.