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The report is based on interviews with fishermen and written sources that deal with sandeels and sandeel fishing periods along the coast of estern Norway. Observations, stories and figures are put together in an attempt to reconstruct and understand the occurrence and changes in sandeel abundance. The sources show that sandeel fry migrating into the west coast was an annual phenomenon varying in strength. The fry was important for the ecosystems along the coast. Large amounts of fish and birds followed and fed on the sandeels. Fry-shoals recruited probably also to coastal sandeel fields (and thus also important Danish seine fishing fields). The most likely explanation for the disappearance of these fry shoals along the coast is the increased harvest on sandeel on the North Sea fields in the 1970s onwards. This has in turn greatly reduced/removed surplus amounts of larvae/fry previously ending up along the coast of Western Norway. Rapporten bygger på intervjuer med fiskere samt skriftlige kilder som omhandler tobis og tobisfiske i perioden. Observasjoner, historier og tallmateriale er satt sammen for å forsøke å rekonstruere og forstå forekomst og endringer i forekomst av tobis og tobisyngel gjennom flere tiår. Kildene viser at tobisyngel på vandring inn til Vestlandskysten var et årlig fenomen, men at det opplevdes å variere i styrke. Innsig av tobisyngel var svært viktig for det øvrige livet langs kysten. Store mengder matfisk og fugl fulgte etter og beitet på tobisen. Yngelstimene rekrutterte trolig også til kystnære tobisfelt (og dermed også til viktige snurrevadfelt). Kildene viser at tobisyngel og rekrutteringen denne bidro med, har hatt stor betydning for mange slags fiskerier. Den mest nærliggende forklaring på bortfallet av yngelstimene langs kysten er den økte beskatningen på tobisfeltene i Nordsjøen på 1970-tallet og fremover. Dette har i sin tur sterkt redusert/fjernet overskuddet/svinnet av larver/yngel som tidligere endte opp vandrende/drivende langs kysten av Vestlandet.

English: In a report from 2008 an assessment of coastal cod in southern Norway, from the Swedish border to Stad, was presented, together with suggestions to management initiatives. This report shortly summarize the 2008-report, but new knowledge attained the last 10 years is the main part. The cod along the coast in southern Norway are made up of possibly there different components: 1) stationary, local stocks in the fjords, 2) cod from the North Sea along the outer coast, and 3) possibly a more “ migrating cod” along the outer coast. The latter type of coastal cod, if existing, has genetic similarities with the North Sea cod. Much new knowledge indicate that the cod along the coast in southern Norway are exposed to increasing pressure from multiple factors, not at least from recreational fisheries. Local stocks of cod in fjords are the smallest and accordingly most vulnerable stocks of cod. Future regulations should aim at a best possible conservation of the local stocks of cod in the fjords, but also reduce mortality of cod living along the outer parts of the coast. This report also suggest some, possible management initiatives. Norsk:2008 kom en rapport som vurderte status for kysttorsk på strekningen Svenskegrensa-Stad, og som også inkluderte forslag til forvaltningstiltak. Denne rapporten starter med en kort oppsummering av oversikten fra 2008, men bringer i hovedsak ny kunnskap som er kommet til de siste 10 årene. Historisk er det en klar nedgang i fangstene av årets yngel (0-gruppe torsk) i strandnotserien fra Havforskningsinstituttet. De siste ca. 20 årene har nedgangen vært størst. Torskeforekomstene langs kysten ser ut til å være sammensatt av tre komponenter: 1) lokale, stasjonære stammer av fjordtorsk, som særlig forekommer i de indre kystområdene/fjordene, 2) nordsjøtorsk og 3) muligens også en mer vandrende komponent av kysttorsk med genetisk likhetstrekk med nordsjøtorsken, som særlig forekommer i de ytre kystområdene. Det er nå dokumentert at torsken langs kysten både på Vestlandet og Sørlandet er utsatt for økende press fra flere påvirkningsfaktorer, ikke minst et betydelig fritidsfiske. Lokale stammer av fjordtorsk er de klart minste og mest sårbare bestandene langs kysten. Fremtidige reguleringer bør gi best mulig vern for lokale stammer av fjordtorsk, men også redusere fiskedødeligheten for «nordsjøtype» torsk langs den ytre delen av kysten. En rekke forslag til tiltak er oppsummert i rapporten.

The Working Group on Commercial Catches (WGCATCH), chaired by Mike Arm- strong (UK) and Hans Gerritsen (Ireland), met in ICES HQ, Copenhagen, Denmark, 10–14 November 2014. The meeting was attended by 34 experts from 21 laboratories or organizations, covering 16 countries. Currently, an important task for WGCATCH is to improve and review sampling sur- vey designs for commercial fisheries, particularly those for estimating quantities and size or age compositions of landings and discards and providing data quality indica- tors. However, the scope of WGCATCH is broader than this, covering many other aspects of collection and analysis of data on fishing activities and catches. This will be end-user driven, and coordinated with the work of other ICES data EGs such as the Working Group on Biological Parameters (WGBIOP), the Planning Group on Data Needs for Assessments and Advice (PGDATA) and the Working Group on Recrea- tional Fisheries Surveys (WGRFS) to ensure synergy and efficiency. The report of the meeting commences with background information on the formation of WGCATCH and its overall role. The remainder of the report provides the out- comes for each of the Terms of Reference (ToRs) and responses to external requests, the proposed future work plan and the ToRs for the 2015 meeting. The group formed two large subgroups to deal with the two major terms of reference which are the development of guidelines for carrying out sampling of catches on shore and the provision of advice on adapting sampling programmes to deal with the landing obligation. In order to evaluate methods and develop guidelines for best practice in carrying out sampling of commercial sampling of commercial fish catches onshore, a question- naire was circulated before the meeting. This questionnaire was structured around guidelines developed by the ICES Workshop on Practical Implementation of Statisti- cally Sound Catch Sampling Programmes (WKPICS) for best practice at each stage of the sampling process, and asked for a description of current practices at each of these stages. Based on these questionnaires, common and specific problems were cata- logued and potential solutions were identified. At the same time, the discussion of the questionnaires provided a form of peer-review of the sampling designs and iden- tified where improvements could be made. WGCATCH provided guidelines for de- signing a sampling survey and summarized earlier guidelines provided by the 2010 Workshop on methods for merging métiers for fishery based sampling (WKMERGE) The other main subject addressed by WGCATCH concerns the provision of advice on adapting sampling protocols to deal with the impact of the introduction of the land- ing obligation, which will alter discarding practices and result in additional catego- ries of catch being landed. A second questionnaire was circulated before the meeting to allow the group to identify the fleets that will be affected and possible issues that are anticipated, as well as to propose solutions to adapt existing monitoring and sampling schemes and to quantify bias resulting from the introduction of this regula- tion. WGCATCH outlined a range of likely scenarios and the expected effects of these on fishery sampling programmes, and developed guidelines for adapting sam- pling schemes. The group also explored a range of analyses that could be conducted in order to quantify bias resulting from the introduction of the landing obligation. Finally a number of pilot studies/case studies were summarized, highlighting the practical issues involved

The year 2014 marks the mid-point between the launch of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and the goal of Good Environmental Status (GES) in 2020. Although a lot of progress has been made, the current use of Europe’s seas is not sustainable. In its recent publication called ‘Marine Messages’ (EEA, 2014), the European Environment Agency recommended that “urgent action and protection of the seas and ocean should be top of the EU agenda”. In addition, the European Commission Healthy Oceans – Productive Ecosystems (HOPE) conference declaration1 urged political leaders “…to turn words into action and encourage all stakeholders, including the private sector, to take the measures necessary to deliver “Good Environmental Status” for Europe’s seas and oceans by 2020.” Scientific knowledge is at the heart of successful implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), forming a key component of the wider knowledge-base underpinning decision making. However, whilst there has been a high investment in MSFD-relevant research across Europe and at regional and national levels, there remains a significant deficit in the transfer of the knowledge generated through such research to policy makers and wider stakeholders. There is a need for more effective science-policy interfaces that foster knowledge management and stakeholder interaction to harness, communicate, synthesise and evaluate such knowledge to enhance policy decisions. Whilst many structures and initiatives either directly or indirectly support MSFD implementation through knowledge production, knowledge-use and working at the science-policy interface, the European Commission has identified the need for a strategic long-term Science-Policy Interface (SPI) to support implementation of the MSFD. This was addressed in the context of the EU STAGES project 2 (September 2012 – August 2014) which is assessing and recommending ways to improve the structural aspects of transferring knowledge from science to inform policy and decision making in support of MSFD. The aim of this paper is to present a proposal for an effective MSFD SPI with recommendations for step-wise implementation of a SPI that is fit for purpose and that can support MSFD implementation in the long-term. This takes into account stakeholder views and expectations based on an extensive consultation through online surveys, workshops and informal discussions together with assessment of best practice and input of key recommendations from across the STAGES project outputs. Cross-cutting themes for a science-policy interface to support the MSFD The proposal has been developed in the context of five cross-cutting themes that are considered crucial to strengthen the MSFD SPI into the second MSFD cycle and beyond. These include the need for SPI processes that foster bottom-up (science-driven) and top-down (policy-driven) dialogues, the need for relevant and timely interaction with wider stakeholders, and to take into account the geographical scales and cyclical nature of the MSFD implementation process. A summary of cross-cutting themes together with recommendations are presented in Table 1. Further detail is outlined in Section 3 of this report.

Gytefelt er et nøkkelområde for reproduksjon hos fisk, og gytefelt for kysttorsk kartlegges gjennom ”Nasjonalt program for kartlegging av marine naturtyper”. Målsettingen med kartleggingen er å stedfeste og verdisette gytefelt for bruk og forvaltning. I denne studien går vi gjennom datagrunnlaget for kartlegging av gytefelt, både intervjubasert lokal økologisk kunnskap og feltinnsamling av eggprøver. Vi diskuterer hvordan gytefelt lokaliseres på bakgrunn av intervju og tettheter av egg og hvordan driften av eggene estimeres gjennom bruk av oseanografiske modeller. Alle gytefeltene verdisettes på bakgrunn av mengder av egg og drift av egg mellom områder. Vi diskuterer også øvrige undersøkelser som gjøres i forbindelse med gytefeltene, som genetiske undersøkelser for å skille ulike arter og for å skille kysttorsk og skrei.

Over the past few years there has been a rapid increase in the use of wrasses as cleanerfish for sealice on salmon farms. During 2010, the landed catch of wrasse was 440 tons, more than twice the 2009 catch and nearly ten times the 2008 catch. This rapid and exrteme increase in the fishing pressure on these species has occurred despite very limited knowledge of their biology, ecology and population dynamics. This has led to justifiable concern about the sustainibility of this resource. Wrasse demonstrate specialized life history traits. Many species change sex during their lifetime and exhibit species-specific mating behaviour, including nest building and parental care of eggs. This mating strategy lends to limited dispersal of offspring, ond only goldsinny wrasse have pelagic eggs. Many adult individuals are stationary, thereby creating a population struction dominated by Iocal populations. This population structure is also documented through genetic sludies in corkwing and goldsinny wrasse. Small local populations are more vulnerable to overfishing and possible extinction of local genetic adaptations. Studies of growth of wild wrasse demonstrate that goldsinsy and rock cook grow slower than corkwing. This suggests that the first two will take longer to recover from heavy fishing pressure. Results presented here suggest that both the composition of species and the size distribution; vary between habitats, particularly between exposed and sheltered areas. More precise and complete information on population structure. growth and maturation of these species is required 10 provide the knowledge base for sustainable fishing. Better knowledge of the health and welfare of these species - in salmon co-culture scenarios - is also needed.

Scientists study the current status of the most important fish populations in Norwegian waters annually. Population estimates are based on the results of our own field studies, research and fisheries. Observations by the general public also make an important contribution of the scientists’ knowledge base, particularly for fish in coastal waters.

This report presents the international redfish survey carried out in the Norwegian Sea in August 2008 and the methodology used to review and compare the different hydroacoustic scrutinizing procedures. The results of the comparative analysis clearly show that differences in scrutinizing methods have a very large impact on the abundance estimate of redfish. They probably constitute the major source of uncertainty for any quantitative estimate. Efforts towards standardisation of scrutinizing procedures should be amplified or at least maintained.

Kveite, eller atlantisk kveite og hvitkveite som den også kalles for å skille den fra blåkveite, er den største beinfisken i norske farvann og har i alle år hatt en spesiell status i fiskeri og folkeminne. Som mange andre dyphavsarter blir den kjønnsmoden relativt sent, har lav naturlig dødelighet og oppnår derfor høy alder om den ikke blir fisket for hardt. I norske farvann har imidlertid fangstene vært betydelig i tidligere perioder, og på 80 og 90 tallet var landingene langt under 10% av tidligere nivå. Det har derfor vakt allmenn oppmerksomhet at fiskere de senere årene har rapporterer om betydelig økt tilgjengelighet av kveite i Nord- Norge.

Sammendrag (norsk): Rapporten oppsummerer vår kunnskap om kysttorsk på kysten av Vestlandet og Skagerrak, diskuterer mangler ved denne, forsøker å kvantifisere ulike påvirkningsfaktorer og foreslår nødvendige forvaltningstiltak. I tillegg til en vurdering av bestandssituasjonen gjennomgås biologi og bestandsstrukturer, hvordan det marine miljøet har utviklet seg og kan påvirke kysttorsken, hvilke faktorer som påfører torsken naturlig dødelighet og hvordan ulike fiskerier beskatter denne ressursen. Det pekes på klare forskningsbehov for å kunne iverksette riktige forvaltningstiltak for raskest mulig gjenoppbygging av torskebestanden(e) på denne kyststrekningen. Rapporten legger frem flere resultater som tyder på at det finnes mange separate bestander/gytepopulasjoner langs kysten og i fjordene mellom Stad og svenskegrensen, og at målrettede forvaltningstiltak vil kunne snu en negativ bestandsutvikling og sikre et nødvendig ressursgrunnlag for fiske og verdiskaping langs kysten. Summary (English): The present report summarizes our knowledge about the cod along the coast and in the fjords of Western Norway south of 62°N and in the Skagerrak, discusses shortcomings, tries to quantify the different factors that influence the cod abundance, and suggests necessary management measures. The report presents results that support the existence of several separate spawning populations along the coast and in the fjords, and argues that by implementation of new and specific management regulations it should be possible to reverse the negative development of the cod populations and hence establish a sound basis for sustainable future fishing and related commerce along this part of the Norwegian coast. Needs for more research, as a necessity for developing and introducing appropriate management measures, are presented.

Presented at "Integrated Coastal Zone Management”, Arendal, Norway, 11-14 June 2007

For stock assessment purposes, Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) from the coastal and offshore regions off northern Norway is usually allocated to Norwegian coastal cod (NCC) and Northeast Arctic cod (NEAC) by internal morphological features of their otoliths. As this classification is subject to individual interpretation, this study investigated an alternative objective approach for the separation of the two cod groups, using otolith shape analysis. Otolith samples from coastal areas along northern Norway and from the Barents Sea were analysed by univariate shape descriptors and Elliptical Fourier Analysis (EFA). When combining those methods, the classification score was 89% for NCC and 90% for NEAC. When genetic typing data (Pan I marker) were used as reference, the classification scores were reduced to 83% for NCC and 76% for NEAC. These results imply that differences in internal otolith morphology are translated to a large extent into the outer shape, but that those cannot directly be linked to genetic structure. Environmental conditions, however, seem to have a considerable influence on how otolith growth increments and consequently otolith shapes are formed. As the various fjord systems in Norway provide local habitats and as differences within the NCC with regard to genetic structure and life-history parameters had been found in earlier studies, variation of NCC otolith shapes between three coastal regions was also examined. The region classification scores for reader-typed NCC varied between 60% and 81%. Apart from the outer shape analyses, experimental work on the detection of internal (annuli) shapes was carried out and will be presented as work in progress. Keywords: Stock identification; Otolith shape analysis; Northeast Atlantic; Norway; Atlantic cod; Gadus morhua

Long term bilateral Russian/Norwegian scientific co-operation as a basis for sustainable management of living marine resources in the Barents Sea. Proceeding of the 12th Norwegian/Russian Symposium Tromsø, 21-22 August 2007 Extended abstract (Full article included in special issue of Marine Biology Research (vol. 4, 2008), celebrating the 50 years of Norwegian-Russian research cooperation.)

Long term bilateral Russian/Norwegian scientific co-operation as a basis for sustainable management of living marine resources in the Barents Sea. Proceeding of the 12th Norwegian/Russian Symposium Tromsø, 21-22 August 2007 Extended abstract (Full article included in special issue of Marine Biology Research (vol. 4, 2008), celebrating the 50 years of Norwegian-Russian research cooperation.)

Long term bilateral Russian/Norwegian scientific co-operation as a basis for sustainable management of living marine resources in the Barents Sea. Proceeding of the 12th Norwegian/Russian Symposium Tromsø, 21-22 August 2007 Extended abstract (Full article included in special issue of Marine Biology Research (vol. 4, 2008), celebrating the 50 years of Norwegian-Russian research cooperation)

In Norway, port sampling of landings, sea sampling by the coastguard and by inspectors from the Directorate of Fisheries are used for collecting biological samples from commercial catches for research and assessment purpose. In order to obtain better and continuous samples from the fishing fleet, knowledge about fleet behaviour and technical developments influencing efficiency and effort, 14 high seas- and 18 coastal fishing vessels (the Reference fleet) are contracted, some of them since 2001. The vessels may be equipped with electronic length measuring board, electronic scales and PC with necessary software including satellite communication. Crewmembers are trained to conduct self-sampling. Biological samples (length, otoliths, genetic samples, stomachs etc) and logbook data are delivered according to contract, which secure a proper statistical coverage for a defined number of species in time and area. A minor extra catch quota mainly finances the program. In addition to improved biological sampling, the Reference fleet provides better insight for optimised sampling, it updates the scientists on technological developments, it is a useful platform for testing official catch statistics and data collecting systems and procedures (e.g., electronic logbooks), provides the scientist with continuous information about species that are hardly accessible by research vessels (e.g., deep water species, near coast fish populations) and do also provide observations of sea mammals, sea birds, crabs etc. Further, such trust based co-operation between fishermen and scientist seems to reduce controversies and rather build a common understanding and ownership of improved stock assessments and fisheries management. Contact author: Kjell Nedreaas: Institute of Marine Research (IMR), P.O. Box 1870, 5817 Bergen, Norway. [tel: +47 55 23 85 00, fax: +47 55 23 53 93, e-mail: kjell.nedreaas@imr.no]

Study of redfish migration by traditional tagging-methods faces great difficulties. The redfish taken onboard a vessel usually prove to be nonviable. A sharp hydrostatic pressure differential is lethal for the redfish having a closed swim bladder. The main purpose of the present paper is to determine migration pattern of the deep-sea redfish juveniles. To study the deep-sea redfish migration, data from annual Russian and Norwegian scientific trawl surveys conducted during autumn and winter of 1982-1995 were used. The Petersen method was applied to analyse size composition of the deep-sea redfish catches taken during the above trawl surveys. The conclusion made from prior researches that the deepsea redfish year classes of 1982 and 1988 were strong compared to their neighboring ones was confirmed. On the assumption that "peaks" in the length distributions of survey catches displayed strong yearclasses, the annual corresponding lengths were defined for the 1982 and 1988 year classes of deep-sea redfish at different age (from 0 to 7 years). Subsequently, using the database from trawl surveys and knowing the length of the deep-sea redfish from strong yearclasses at different age, the distribution of these yearclasses by year was mapped. Based on the analysis of these maps, migration patterns of the deep-sea redfish juveniles in the Barents and Norwegian Seas were plotted.

Management strategies for commercial marine species in Northern ecosystems. Proceedings of the 10th Norwegian-Russian Symposium. Bergen, 27-29 August 2003. Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides (Walbaum)) are widely distributed over wide geographic areas of the Northeast Atlantic Ocean, with no break in the continuity of the distribution from the arctic Frans Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya archipelagos in the north and east to beyond the boreal Shetland Islands in the south. Although the entire Greenland halibut resource in the North Atlantic is genetically homogeneous, they comprise a single interbreeding stock in the Barents Sea and Norwegian Sea areas, which is known as the Northeast Arctic stock. In general, and for most of the year, larger fish become more abundant and smaller fish less abundant in progressively deeper water with peak abundance occurring over a depth range of 400-1 000 m. But during the spring and summer, the mature and bigger fish may be shallower. Greenland halibut in the Northeast Atlantic were observed to be most abundant in bottom temperatures mainly between 0º C and 4º C. The fishery for Greenland halibut in the Northeast Arctic was unregulated until 1992, although since 1995 catches have substantially exceeded those advised. The spawning stock size reached historically low levels during the 1990s and recruitment to the spawning stock remained uncertain. The stock is now showing clear signs of improvement, and is at present rebuilt to above the long-term average of the past 20 years.

Working Document #21 to the Arctic Fisheries Working Group 23 April-2 May 2003

14 páginas, 8 figuras, 2 tablas., This study presents comparative otolith-based age readings of golden redfish (Sebastes marinus) from Iceland and demersal as well as pelagic deep-sea redfish (Sebastes mentella) from East Greenland and the Irminger Sea within an otolith exchange program between institutes in Germany, Iceland, Norway and Spain. A total of 571 otoliths were thin-sectioned and read independently in the participating labs. Age reading results were compared between readers in terms of bias and precision, using a set of statistical tests and graphical methods. Significant bias was observed between readers, mainly caused by deviations between age scores in the higher ages (> 20 years). Percent agreement was poor (< 30%) for a tolerance level of ± 0 years, particularly for the age range 21-40 years, which represents the major fraction of the fished stock. A tolerance level of ± 5 years, however, lead to up to 95% agreement for the age ranges up to 20 years. Precision and bias were generally better for S. marinus than they were for S. mentella, pointing to greater difficulties in the interpretation of growth stuctures for the latter species. The mean age of S. mentella with total lengths of 25-30 cm, which were observed to have recruited from the East Greenland shelf into the Irminger Sea during 1998/99, was determined to be 9-10 years. The observed problems in bias and precision of age readings should to be improved by continuing with similar Sebastes otolith exchange programs and setting up a further age reading workshop to harmonise the interpretation of growth structures. Radiometric ageing is currently being finalised and results will be available for the next NWWG meeting., The present study was realised within the REDFISH project (QLK5-CT1999-01222), financially supported by the European Commission within the FP5 research area QUALITY OF LIFE AND MANAGEMENT OF LIVING RESOURCES, Key Action 5: Sustainable Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

A combined acoustic and bottom trawl survey to obtain indices of abundance and estimates of length and weight at age has been carried out each winter (46 weeks in January- March) since 1981 in the Barents Sea. The target species are cod and haddock, but in recent years abundance indices have also been worked out for the redfish species and Greenland halibut. Since 1993 the survey area has been extended to the north and east in order to obtain a more complete coverage of the younger age groups of cod. In winter 1997 only the Norwegian part of the Barents Sea and a small part of the Svalbard area was covered, while in 1998 also a small part of the Russian EEZ was covered. In 1999 and 2000 the vessels had full access to the Russian EEZ. In 2001 a Russian research vessel covered most of the areas where the Norwegian vessels did not have access, and a sufficient coverage was thus obtained. The main results in 2001 were: - the 1999 year class of cod is very weak and the 2000 year class is indicated to be somewhat below average. The 1998 year class is slightly higher than expected from last years survey; - the abundance indices of 47 year old cod (1997-1994 year classes) are around average, as expected from the last years survey; - the numbers of 8 year and older cod are very low; - length and weight at age and weight increment are improving; - the mortality rate has been reduced compared with the previous years for age group 4 and younger, while it is still high for older age groups; - for haddock all the year classes 1998, 1999 and 2000 are indicated to be at or above average. The 1996 year class is below average, but considerably larger than the year classes 1992-1995, which are very weak; - length and weight at age and weight increment seem to have stabilized in 2001, after a period of increase over the years 1998-2000; - the abundance indices of the redfish species are among the lowest in the time series and there are no signs of improved recruitment; - compared to the 2000-results the abundance indices of Greenland halibut less than 40 cm have decreased, while they have increased for most of the size groups above 40 cm. The survey covers, however, only parts of this species' normal area of distribution.

A combined acoustic and bottom trawl survey to obtain indices of abundance and estimates of length and weight at age has been carried out each winter (4-6 weeks in January-March) since 1981 in the Barents Sea. The target species are cod and haddock, but in recent years abundance indices have also been worked out for the redfish species and Greenland halibut. Since 1993 the survey area has been extended to the north and east in order to obtain a more complete coverage of the younger age groups of cod. In winter 1997 only the Norwegian part of the Barents Sea and a small part of the Svalbard area was covered, while in 1998 also a small part of the Russian EEZ was covered. In 1999 and 2000 the vessels had full access to the Russian EEZ.