26 June 2009
The NFFO in collaboration with the North Sea Regional Advisory Council and other Fishermen’s representative bodies are again running the North Sea Stocks Survey.
The NFFO in collaboration with the North Sea Regional Advisory Council and other Fishermen’s representative bodies are again running the North Sea Stocks Survey that invites fishermen to contribute their knowledge on the status and trends in stocks subject to TACs. The survey has now been running since 2003.
The survey is increasingly regarded by ICES scientists as an invaluable contribution in guiding their advice, which in turn is used to steer the management decisions which set the annual TACs.
It is the local knowledge that is recorded in a systematic way, highlighting the regional trends and issues in the fisheries, that makes the survey so valuable. Responses to last year’s questionnaire are showing the large increase in abundance in Whiting off the North East coast which has been factored into this year’s advice, and will be important in building the case for the industry in management negotiations later this year. In the context of the Cod Recovery Plan, fishermen reflecting upon their experiences will also be particularly valuable this year in assessing the effects of the 25% reduction in effort in the North Sea.
A summary of the results of the 2008 survey is provided below. The full report can accessed here.
The 2008 Survey Results
INTRODUCTION
Last year’s North Sea stock Survey received 273 replies, of which 256 were analysed. Inevitably the responses relating to economic conditions were heavily influenced by the fuel crisis which resulted in a generally more pessimistic outlook due to costs and the increased difficulty of finding crews.
Eight species were covered and received a total of 1644 comments relating to abundance, size, discards and recruitment. The results are presented briefly below.COD
The general picture was of an increase in the abundance of cod which was particularly marked in areas 5 and 6b. In line with industry sentiment, there were no responses of “much less cod”. In comparison with the previous year there was an increase in the numbers reporting “all sizes” as present. Hardly surprisingly, there was a marked increase in the levels of discarding reported. Although fewer comments were made about recruitment, when recorded it was done so as “high”. HADDOCK
For haddock the general picture remains very much the same as in 2007. Area 4 recorded “less abundance” whilst area 9 recorded “more”. In so far as size is concerned, the overall picture is of “all sizes” although areas 3 and 4 recorded “small sizes”. It was indicated that discards remained at much the same level as the previous year, as did recruitment.WHITING
Here the impression is of increasing abundance. Areas 5, 6a and 6b all recorded replies of “more” or “much more” – whereas in 2007 only area 2 did. Although the vast majority of respondents found “all sizes”, there were a number of “mostly small” in areas 6 and 9. In so far as discards are concerned, most areas reported largely no change but areas 4, 6a and 6b reported “more” and “much more” discarding. The situation with respect to recruitment was mixed, with some reporting “moderate” and others “high” recruitment. SAITHE
Saithe stocks were report as being more abundant in areas 1, 4 and 6a. Responses indicated “all sizes” predominated except in area 9. In keeping with this relatively stable picture, there appears to have been no appreciable change in the level discards. Although the numbers of questionnaires commenting on recruitment were limited, it would seem the recruitment was “moderate” to “high” – vessels over 24 metres being more likely to give “high” as a response.MONKFISH
Most areas reported no change in the abundance of monkfish although both areas 1 and 6a recorded “more”. In so far as size was concerned, the situation remained unchanged with all areas predominately recording “all sizes”: areas 1, 2 and 7, however, indicated that their catch was “mostly large”. There appears to be no appreciable change in the level of discards for most areas, but in areas 2 and 7 discards were recorded as being “much more” than in the previous year. Recruitment also seems to be more or less stable with most respondents giving “moderate” as an answer although in areas 2, 5 and 7 there were some “high” responses.NEPHROPS
Unlike most of the other species, the survey indicated significant changes for nephrops. In all areas except 7, the percentage replying “less” or “much less” abundance” has increased significantly. Nonetheless, the replies showed that “all sizes” was the most common answer regarding size. The change in abundance is reflected in the discard pattern, with areas 3 and 4 replying “much more” discarding – as opposed to four areas in 2007. In general there was a decrease in the amount of discarding. The same downward trend is evident in the information about recruitment with a decrease ion the numbers reporting “high” recruitment.SOLE
In so far as sole is concerned, the responses would appear to present an improving overall picture. Areas 4 7 and 9 indicated “more” abundance whilst area 8 recorded “no change”. This improvement is reflected in the size replies with areas 4 – 9 indicating “all sizes” against 5, 6a and 6b recording “mostly small” in 2007. In this respect, it is not surprising that there has been little change in discarding although the >24 metre vessels recorded “more” discarding. Recruitment was generally felt to be “high” in areas 5, 6a, 6b, 7 and 9.
PLAICE
Overall, there appears to be no significant change in the level of abundance for plaice although approximately half of >24 metre vessels reported “more”. The pattern of responses relating to size remained relatively stable, with most reporting “all sizes”. Most areas indicated no change in the level of discards, but area 5 had more than half recording “more”. The number of responses regarding recruitment was small but the picture would seem to be largely positive with areas 1, 3 and 9 recording “high”.