Fish stock assessments always involve a number of challenges. However, when dealing with highly migratory and other widely distributed species, we must add more that are specific to them. Throughout their life cycles, these species pass through different habitats, they are subject to varying environmental conditions, and face other threats. This leads to classical approach of assessment methods may have to be adapted for some of these species.
Despite the common problems faced, researchers working with these species' groups (i.e: tunas, large pelagic species, diadromous species) have little interaction so they are unaware of how each of them deals with the challenges.
Over the last few years, different approaches have emerged to improve assessments, e.g. spatialized stock assessment models that consider the spatial heterogeneity in the stock and fisheries and other anthropogenic mortality distribution. These approaches are especially relevant under the climate change scenario we are facing. However, these models require information that is not available for all species, so other approaches are also needed.
In this session, we want to bring together researchers who have made progress in solving the specific problems of highly migratory and other widely distributed species. Learning from the experience of others can provide us with further strategies and knowledge and will increase our effectiveness by eliminating redundant work.
