Iberian Symposium on Modeling and Assessment of Fishery Resources
The third edition of the Iberian Symposium on Modelling and Assessment of Fishery Resources will be held in Lisbon from 4 to 7 November 2025.
The concept of fishery resources modelling and assessment is handled in the scientific literature in two different ways: (1) as the process by which the dynamics of an exploited population is analysed to determine its status or level of exploitation, and (2) as the assessment of the consequences of implementing different management alternatives. This second definition is more complete since it includes the first one and links the assessment process and its social purpose, that is, the scientific advice for the sustainable management of fishery resources.
In SIMERPE 3 we understand the assessment process as an activity fundamentally quantitative, where modelling and simulation are the fundamental elements in the construction of the scientific advice for sustainable management of fishery resources.
SIMERPE 3 is organised as a forum of activities that allow a productive discussion on the present and future of the assessment of fishery resources. For this purpose, SIMERPE 3 includes scientific communications, as well as several theme panels where the current challenges of stock assessment will be addressed by leading researchers and other stakeholders such as managers, politicians, the fishing sector, NGOs, etc.
Format & Sessions
This year’s SIMERPE will be organised exclusively for on-site participation. All presentations will be live-streamed.
SIMERPE 3 welcomes proposals for communications (oral and poster) in English, with abstracts provided in both English and Spanish or Portuguese. Submissions include original research papers, reviews, and syntheses on the following topics:
- Biological processes: The influence of natural mortality, growth, reproduction, connectivity, and trophic relationships on stock assessment.
- Fishing activity: The impact of discards, discard survival rates, landing obligations, or misreporting on stock assessment. Selectivity, effort and technical measures.
- Model calibration: The role of surveys, CPUEs, and fishing effort in refining assessment models. New technologies such as Close Kin Mark Recapture, UnderWater TV, eDNA, etc
- Assessment, and management strategies: Approaches ranging from data-limited to data-rich stocks, mixed fisheries, and multispecies assessments.
- Reference points: Metrics to evaluate stock and ecosystem status.
- Stakeholder engagement: Enhance stakeholder involvement from data collection to decision on management measures.
- Ecological considerations: The effects of climate change, species interactions, and environmental factors on fisheries and fish stocks.
- Economic and social aspects: The broader socio-economic implications of fisheries management.
- Spatial considerations: Connectivity, stock structure, and spatial population and fisheries dynamics.
- Ecosystem modeling and environmental indicators: Integrating ecosystem information to improve single-species stock assessments.
- Competing marine uses: Challenges posed by Marine Protected Areas, offshore wind farms, and other competing activities.
Contributions on these topics will be attributed to one of the following Theme Sessions:
SESSION 1: From tradition to innovation: progress for data-rich stock assessment and management strategy evaluation
In the middle of the 21st century, stock assessment and fisheries management for single data-rich stocks continue to be the cornerstone of fisheries science. Despite being rooted in the same conceptual principles, the underlying data, models and methods are very different from those used in the past. Cutting-edge tools and techniques are continuously being developed and incorporated with the final aim of improving the scientific advice that ensures the sustainability of marine resources.
In this session we invite contributions that showcase the most recent advancements and developments into the following four broad topics:
Data informing stock assessment and management advice – biological parameters and life-history traits, data collected from scientific surveys, monitoring of commercial fisheries and any alternative innovative source of information (genetics, robotics, electronic monitoring systems, etc).
Stock assessment models – new statistical methods, model developments, inclusion of spatial aspects, model ensembles, non-stationary processes, etc.
Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) – development of operating models, testing key uncertainties, developing and testing harvest control rules and management procedures, robustness tests, including in face of changing environment conditions and climate change, the role of stakeholders on MSE, etc.
Management adice and decision making – reference points, management objectives, management measures, risk assessment, socio-economic aspects, developing tools for effective communication with stakeholders, etc
Join us to discover how innovation is driving progress in stock assessment and fisheries management!
SESSION 2: Assessment and management of data-limited stocks
Methods and tools for assessing data-limited stocks have advanced significantly in recent years, offering new opportunities to improve fisheries management despite limited data availability. This session will explore the latest methodological advances and their application for assessing and managing data-limited stocks, including the following topics:
Length-based assessments and surplus production models- methodological advances and new applications;
Empirical indicators and harvest control rules (HCRs)- understanding the performance of existing as well as the development of new ones;
Design and implementation of simulation frameworks for data-limited stocks
Reference points – a key challenge in data-limited assessments;
Improve stock assessment approaches for long- or short-lived species, elasmobranchs, cephalopods and other sensitive or rare species.
SESSION 3: Beyond Single Stock Assessment: Integrating Ecosystem Considerations into Fisheries Management
There is a growing recognition among scientists, fisheries managers, and stakeholders that sustainable and effective fisheries management must extend beyond single-species assessments. A holistic approach that explicitly incorporates environment and ecosystem considerations is essential to achieving long-term fisheries sustainability and resilience in marine ecosystems. This shift aligns with the principles of Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management (EBFM), a key objective of European and global fisheries policies. While significant strides have been made toward EBFM, including several successful implementations worldwide, challenges remain in fully integrating ecosystem information into fisheries management frameworks.
This session provides a platform to explore the latest advancements in multispecies models and ecosystem-based research, addressing both the needs and the pragmatic solutions required for incorporating environment and ecosystem information into fisheries management and ICES advice. By bringing together experts in the field, we aim to facilitate discussions on how ecosystem-informed fisheries management can be effectively implemented and identify actionable steps toward this goal.
We invite contributions on a broad range of topics, including but not limited to:
• Multispecies Models – Advancing approaches that account for species interactions and food web dynamics.
• Enhancing Single-Species Assessments: Using ecosystem models or ecosystem-derived information to improve traditional stock assessment methods.
• Ecosystem Modelling- Developing tools and methodologies to derive ecosystem indicators and ecosystem information to improve single-species assessments.
• Development of Ecosystem Reference Points- Establishing ecological/ecosystem benchmarks that guide sustainable management decisions.
• Integrating Environment and Ecosystem Information into MSE- Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) approach, as robust method for advancing ecosystem-based fisheries management.
• Environmental and Ecological Considerations- Addressing climate change, habitat degradation, species interactions, and other environmental factors in fisheries management.
• Case Studies – Showcasing real-world examples of ecosystem-based approaches in fisheries management, demonstrating successful implementation and lessons learned.
SESSION 4: Competing marine uses to fisheries: challenges posed by Offshore Wind Farms and Marine Protected Areas
Marine ecosystems are increasingly challenged by spatial competition as offshore wind farms (OWFs) and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) expand, coexisting alongside fisheries and other maritime activities. This session will examine the impact of these competing uses on stock assessment and fisheries management. Access restrictions imposed by OWFs and MPAs may displace fishing activities, altering fishing methods and leading to shifts in catch composition, selectivity, and revenue. Additionally, scientific monitoring within these designated areas may be constrained, necessitating the adoption of innovative survey techniques and new monitoring technologies. The session will also explore strategies to mitigate conflicts, promote co-existence, and ensure the long-term sustainability of fisheries in the face of these evolving challenges.
In this session we invite contributions on the following topics:
• Spatial Competition and Fisheries Displacement – Examining how the expansion of OWFs and MPAs influences fishing effort distribution, fleet behavior, and economic impacts on fisheries.
• Changes in Fish Stock Monitoring Methods – Investigating how access restrictions affect traditional survey techniques and exploring alternative stock assessment approaches, such as remote sensing, eDNA, and autonomous underwater vehicles.
• Socioeconomic Impacts on Coastal Communities – Analyzing the impact of these competing marine uses on the livelihoods of fishers and associated industries produced by changes in fishing access, catch composition, and selectivity, among others.
• Conflict Resolution and Coexistence Strategies – Exploring policy solutions, stakeholder engagement processes, and technological innovations (e.g., real-time spatial management, gear modifications) to mitigate conflicts and enhance synergies between fisheries, OWFs, and MPAs.
All participants need to register. There is no registration fee.
Register today for the symposium
Deadline: June 30th, 2025
Submit your abstract today
Deadline: May 16th, 2025
Key Dates
- Deadline abstracts submission: May 16th, 2025
- Notification abstract acceptance: June, 6th, 2025
- Registration deadline: June 30th, 2025
- Symposium: November 4th (Tuesday, 9h) to November 7th (Friday, 13h), 2025
Venue
IPMA
Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera, Av. Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho, 6, 1495-165 Lisboa
How to get to IPMA
IPMA has facilities in various parts of the country, Algés being one of them. In Algés, IPMA is located at Rua Prof. Doutor Magalhães Ramalho 6, 1495-165 Lisboa, Portugal (see here). The institute is a 5-minute walk from Algés, which is served by train (Cascais<->Cais-do-Sodré line) and streetcar (number 15). It is also easily accessible by car. On foot from Algés train station, our building is the large complex on the right, near a large traffic roundabout after passing the tunnel under the train line.
By train
Use the Cascais-Lisbon train line (also known as the “Cascais Line”) from Cascais (~30 min), Oeiras (~15 min), Belém (~5 min) or Lisbon City Center/ Cais-do-Sodré (~10-15 min). Get off at Algés train station and turn right (river side). Our building is the large yellowish complex, near a large roundabout that you see after exiting. Note: Cais do Sodré train station is connected to the Lisbon metro network. This network connects to the airport via the red line and the green line. Timetable
Subway + Train to Algés
By tram
Take tram15E from the center of Lisbon / Cais do Sodré (~60 min) or Belém (~30 min) and get off at the “Algés – Praça D. Manuel I” station. Walk towards the nearest train station and use it to cross under the train tracks towards the river. Exit on your right. Our building is the large yellowish complex, near a large traffic circle that you see after exiting. See also Information Buses
By car
From the North (Lisboa Norte): take the IC17 towards Algés and go all the way south, passing over the train line and following the signs for Lisbon. You’ll come directly to the IPMA traffic circle. Turn left (3rd exit) and then 1st right to enter the IPMA parking lot.
From the west (Cascais, Oeiras): head east on Avenida Marginal, pass Algés and keep to the right to go over the train tracks to the river bank. Make a U turn at the next exit to head west in the left lane onto Av. Brasília. Brasília. At the end of the road is the IPMA traffic circle. Turn left (2nd exit) and then 1st right to enter the IPMA parking lot.
From the east (Belém, central Lisbon): Head west on Av. 24 de Julho or Av. De Brasília. If you are coming from the center of Lisbon on Av. 24 de Julho, you should cross the train line at Alcântara and continue west on Av. De Brasília. If you’re coming from Belém on Avenida 24 de Julho, you’ll have to make two U-turns to get to Av. de Brasília, so it’s best to use a GPS. Once you’re on Av. De Brasília, head west and stay in the left-hand lane until you reach the end. At the end is the IPMA traffic circle. Turn left (2nd exit) and then 1st right to enter the IPMA parking lot.
Committees
Scientific Committee
Alexandra Silva, Dorota Szalaj , Ivone Figueiredo, João Pereira, Leire Ibaibarriaga, Margarita Rincón, Marta Cousido, Ricardo Alpoim, Rui Coelho, Santiago Cerviño, Sonia Sánchez-Maroño, Susana Garrido, Teresa Moura
Organising Committee
Alexandra Silva, Susana Garrido, Carla Gameiro, Inês Farias
Partners & Funding
