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The contributions to the Special Scientific Meeting “THE COD” which are submitted herewith show that, during the 20 years that have passed since our last meeting dealing with the cod, very great attention has been paid to a census of the cod stocks. The long series of observations recording length and age compositions of the cod constitute very valuable material, and new facts of paramount importance have been presented. Our plan of arranging all the contributions within a particular frame work may have prevented some interesting observations from appearing, but it has enabled us to present data for a direct comparison of the different stocks examined by various workers. This publication is part of Rapport et Proces-Verbaux des Reunions Vol. 136, which includes all contributions to a special scientific meeting on cod. To see all other articles in this volume, please click on the keyword "RPVR Vol. 136".

Horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) in Divisions IIa, IVa, Vb, VIa, VIIa-c, e-k, VIIIa-e (Western stock)

In the absence of defined reference points the state of the stock cannot be fully evaluated. The offshore component has been severely depleted since 1990. Surveys indicate that the stock is increasing, but it is still far below historical levels. Some of the increase may be due to inflow of recruits (2003 year-class) from Iceland. Dense concentrations of large spawning cod have been found off East Greenland, indicating that a Greenland offshore spawning stock is being established. Stock size and exploitation rate of the inshore component are unknown

The 2009 data (landings and survey) do not change the perception of the stock in the Barents Sea and Svalbard area. Therefore, the advice for this fishery in 2011 is the same as the advice given in 2009 for the 2010 fishery. ICES advises that: “there should be no directed trawl fishery on Sebastes mentella in Subareas I and II in 2011. Area closures should be maintained and by-catch limits should be as low as possible until a significant increase in the spawning-stock biomass (and a subsequent increase in the number of juveniles) has been verified”.

Based on the most recent estimates of SSB (in 2009) and, fishing mortality (in 2008), ICES classifies the stock as having full reproductive capacity and being harvested sustainably (F=0.29). Year classes 2005-2008 are among the lowest observed. Due to recent low recruitment, SSB has declined from its historical peak in 2003-2004 of more than 7 million tonnes to 3.6 million tonnes at the beginning of 2009, and the decline is expected to continue in the short-term.

Use of otolith growth in fish age determination for Barents Sea cod. This publication is part of Rapport et Proces-Verbaux des Reunions Vol. 136, which includes all contributions to a special scientific meeting on cod. To see all other articles in this volume, please click on the keyword "RPVR Vol. 136".

This article describes the variability in the Barents Sea environment (from time series of air and water temperature, salinity, ice coverage, oxygen and phosphate content) and its biota (abundance and biomass of plankton, capelin, and cod). With an emphasis on the 1990s, comparisons are made with earlier years and decades. Strong relationships are found between most of the environmental indices, indicating a common source of variability. Few links are found between the environmental and biological variables, the exception being between oxygen levels in the near bottom layers and cod recruitment as measured at age 3.Article from Marine Science Symposia Vol. 219 - "Hydrobiological variability in the ICES Area, 1990-1999", symposium held in Edinburgh, 8-10 August 2001. To access the remaining articles please click on the keyword "MSS Vol. 219".

ICES advises on the basis of the Joint Russian–Norwegian Fisheries Commission management plan that TAC in 2015 should be set at 894000 t. All catches are assumed to be landed. Bycatches of coastal cod and Sebastes norvegicus should be kept as low as possible.

ICES advises on the basis of the Norwegian management plan that catches in 2015 should be no more than 122 000 t. All catches are assumed to be landed. Bycatches of coastal cod and Sebastes norvegicus1 in fisheries targeting saithe in Subareas I and II should be kept as low as possible.

The overflow of cold water from the Arctic Mediterranean (Arctic Ocean and Nordic Seas) across the Greenland-Scotland Ridge into the Atlantic is a key process in the form ation of North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW ) and a driving mechanism for the Atlantic inflow to the Nordic Seas. About half the overflow flux passes east of Iceland, carried by three separate branches. Previous investigations have shown that the branch that flows through the Faroe Bank Channel decreased in flux from 1950 to 2000. We argue that the same conclusion can be drawn for the cold com ponent of the overflow across the southern part of the Iceland-Faroe Ridge and for the cold com ponent of the overflow across the Wyville-Thomson Ridge. If not compensated by unobserved increases in other sources, the results imply a reduced production of NADW and reduced inflow of Atlantic Water to the Nordic Seas. We briefly discuss the potential biological consequences of the changing transport of organisms by overflow currents, changing bottom temperature regimes in areas affected by overflow water, and changing Atlantic inflow. Article from Marine Science Symposia Vol. 219 - "Hydrobiological variability in the ICES Area, 1990-1999", symposium held in Edinburgh, 8-10 August 2001. To access the remaining articles please click on the keyword "MSS Vol. 219".

Based on the most recent estimates of SSB (in 2009) ICES classifies the stock as having full reproductive capacity. Based on the most recent estimate of fishing mortality (in 2008) ICES classifies the stock as being harvested sustainably. SSB in 2009 is well above Bpa and is estimated as one of the highest in the time-series. The stock contains a number of good year classes. In the last 10 years, four large year classes have been produced (1998, 1999, 2002 and 2004). However, the available information indicates that year classes after 2004 have been of low abundance.

In the absence of reference points and an analytical assessment, the state of the stock cannot be fully evaluated. Based on the trawl survey estimates, there is indication of a decreasing trend in the time series and the 2009 estimate is the lowest in the series. Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) has been variable over the years, but on average the recent CPUEs are lower than in the early part of the time series. These indices in combination with a marked decrease in landings since 2004 suggest that the stock has been reduced substantially in the past decade. The exploitation rate for this stock is unknown.

To determine volume and heat transports through Fram Strait, an array of current meter moorings was maintained in the Strait between 1997 and 2001, with annual redeployments. The transports obtained by averaging the monthly means from the first 2 years were 9.5 Sv to the north and 11.1 Sv to the south (ISv = 106m3s-1). The net transport over the 2 years was 4.2 Sv to the south, taking into account that there is some recirculation from the eastern to the western side of the transect which has a meridional offset of 10 nmi. The northward transport consists of about 50% of Atlantic Water, of which about 65% recirculates north of the transect. The northward heat flow, 85% of which is by Atlantic Water, is 16TW (1997/1998) and 41TW (1998/1999). Article from Marine Science Symposia Vol. 219 - "Hydrobiological variability in the ICES Area, 1990-1999", symposium held in Edinburgh, 8-10 August 2001. To access the remaining articles please click on the keyword "MSS Vol. 219".

The benchmark workshop on capelin (WKCAPELIN) was set up to develop benchmark assessments for the Barents Sea capelin and the Iceland-East Greenland-Jan Mayen capelin stocks. These stocks are distributed in ICES subareas 1, 2, 5, and 14. For Barents Sea capelin, a modification of the existing model approach, which includes multispecies elements (predation by cod), was generally endorsed. Changes to the model approach that were endorsed in the meeting included using a type III rather than type II consumption model; a time averaged (most recent 5 years) CV at age for the autumn survey; 14 cm was to be used as the maturation length cut-off; M and F were now assumed to be constant from January to March; and the year used for the Blim calculation was changed to avoid the early period of the time-series with a low herring stock. Despite these changes, the model results are relatively consistent with the previous assessment. For Iceland-East Greenland-Jan Mayen (IGJM) capelin, a modified version of the existing model approach, which includes multispecies elements (predation by cod), was generally endorsed. The Autumn survey now has a maximum weight of 1/3rd in the final assessment. The revised model has lower biomass levels and Blim than the previous assessment, but the relation between Blim and average SSB is largely unchanged. Both stocks are managed as escapement strategy fisheries, with Bescapement based on Blim. The only defined reference point is therefore Blim, and there are no F reference points. Bpa is not needed for either stock, as the HCRs are explicitly based on having a 95% chance to avoid going below Blim. The workshop evaluated that the approach taken by Barents Sea and IGJM represents best available science following ICES procedures. The two existing HCRs are considered as precautionary as is typical for any ICES escapement strategy. Furthermore, the HCRs have functioned successfully for a number of years (since 1991 for Barents Sea, and since 2015 for IGJM). Provided no significant change is made to the HCR or to the performance of the underlying models, the rule should continue to be as precautionary as previously. It should be noted that the Blim for the Barents Sea previously included a safety factor, raising Bescapement to 200kt. Following current ICES procedures, the safety factor is no longer included in the Blim value. However, the evaluation here that the existing HCR remain precautionary is based on a HCR in which Bescapement retains the safety factor (i.e. remaining at 200kt). Any alternate HCR would require a separate evaluation.

Various data sources are used to derive the biomass flow from fish to the fish themselves, to fisheries, and to marine mammals in six ecosystems: Eastern Bering Sea, Norwegian coast and Barents Sea, North Sea, Benguela current, Georges Bank, and Balsfjorden. The largest proportion of fish biomass provides food for the fish themselves in all areas. The North Sea has the highest loss of fish biomass to fishing. Possible reasons for this are discussed.

The advice given in 2012 for this stock is valid for 2013-2015 : “ICES advises on the basis of the precautionary approach that no fishing for porbeagle should be permitted. Landings of porbeagle should not be allowed. A rebuilding plan should be developed for this stock.”The advice is summarized in the table below. NB: new Advice will be provided in 2015

ICES advises that when the Norwegian management plan is applied, catches in 2023 should be no more than 29 347 tonnes (recreational and commercial catches combined).

The Icelandic stock of cod forms an important part of the cod populations in the North Atlantic. In the years 1930-1938 the catch on lcelanclio grounds was 38.7 % of the total European catch of cod. In the same period the Norwegian coast yielded 22.5 %, Bear Island 9.1 %, the Barents Sea 8.8 %, the Newfoundland/Greenland Banks 6.7 % and the North Sea 5.9 %. This publication is part of Rapport et Proces-Verbaux des Reunions Vol. 136, which includes all contributions to a special scientific meeting on cod. To see all other articles in this volume, please click on the keyword "RPVR Vol. 136".

The Barents Sea is a shelf area of approximately 1.4 million km2, which borders to the Norwegian Sea in the west and the Arctic Ocean in the north, and is part of the continental shelf area surrounding the Arctic Ocean. The Barents Sea is bounded by the continental slope between Norway and Spitsbergen in the west, the continental slope towards the Arctic Ocean in the north, Novaya Zemlya in the east and the coast of Norway and Russia in the south (Figure 3.1.1). The average depth is 230 m, with a maximum depth of about 500 m at the western entrance. There are several bank areas, with depths between 50–200 m.

The surface circulation of the Nordic Seas and its variability during the 1990s is investigated using current data obtained from satellite-tracked drifters. We find a seasonal intensification of the circulation during winter and during the first half of the 1990s, both due to the enhanced atmospheric momentum forcing. Article from Marine Science Symposia Vol. 219 - "Hydrobiological variability in the ICES Area, 1990-1999", symposium held in Edinburgh, 8-10 August 2001. To access the remaining articles please click on the keyword "MSS Vol. 219".

Based on the most recent estimates of SSB and fishing mortality, ICES classifies the stock as having full reproductive capacity and being harvested sustainably. The SSB has been above Bpa since 2002. Fishing mortality was reduced from well above Flim in 1999 to below Fpa in 2007. As predicted last year, surveys indicate that cod recruitment is anticipated to be below the long-term mean both in 2009 and 2010, and also additionally in 2011.

Northeast Arctic cod, inhabiting the edge of the species area, experience variable environmental conditions and feeding resources, one of the main of them is capelin. Lipids are an important biochemical link between capelin and cod. Lipids constitute approximately 10-15% of the total wet weight of capelin at the peak of their seasonal cycle in lipid accumulation (Jangaard 1974). In contrast, approximately 1% of the wet weight of the muscle tissue of cod is composed of lipids (Lie et al. 1988). The liver is the primary site of stored lipid reserves in cod. These reserves are utilized during periods of food limitation and the annual cycle of gonad maturation. Starved cod can replenish liver reserves rapidly in response to increased food (Karlsen et al. 1995). Lliver weight is likely to be a dynamic index of the physiological condition of cod.

The 2009 data (landings, survey and cpue) available for this stock do not change the perception of the stock and give no reason to change the advice from that given in 2009. The advice for the fishery in 2011 is the same as the advice given in 2009 for the 2010 fishery: “The stock has remained at a relatively low size in the last 25 years at catch levels of 15 000–25 000 t. In order to increase the SSB, catches should be kept well below that range. Catches should be below 13 000 t as advised since 2003; this is the level below which SSB has increased in the past”. Additionally, ICES notes that the evaluation of this stock is uncertain due to age-reading problems and lack of contrast in the data. The age-reading issue is being addressed and should be resolved in the not too distant future. Corrections to the whole time-series are required. The 38th Session of the Joint Norwegian-Russian Fisheries Commission in 2009 decided to cancel the ban against targeted Greenland halibut fishery and established a TAC at 15 000 t for next three years (2010-2012). The TAC was allocated between Norway, Russia and other countries with shares of 51, 45 and 4% respectively.

From 30 March 2022 onwards, all Russian Federation participation in ICES was suspended. Although the announcement of the suspension stressed the role of ICES as a “multilateral science organization” this suspension applied not only to research activities but also to the ICES work of providing fisheries advice for the sustainable management of fish stocks and ecosystems. As a result of the suspension, it is not possible to run ICES stock assessments or provide ICES advice for the Barents Sea stocks of NEA cod, NEA haddock, capelin, beaked redfish (Sebastes mentella) or Greenland Halibut, as management and data collection for these stocks are shared between Norway and Russia. There are therefore no AFWG stock assessments for these stocks this year. Assessment and advice for these stocks are being conducted outside ICES through the bilateral Russian-Norwegian group, the Joint Russian-Norwegian Arctic Fisheries Working Group (JRN-AFWG). The most recent assessment reports are available via the Institute of Marine Research (IMR) website: Report of the Joint Russian-Norwegian Working Group on Arctic Fisheries (JRN-AFWG) 2023 Barents Sea Capelin–Report of the Joint Russian-Norwegian Working Group on Arctic Fisheries (JRN-AFWG) [2022] The assessments in 2022 and 2023 occurred outside ICES but were based on the stock annexes previously agreed within ICES, used the same data and models as previously, and were conducted by the same Russian and Norwegian scientists that were involved in the previous ICES assessments. The managing body in the Barents Sea (the Joint Norwegian Russian Fisheries Commission; JNRFC) has endorsed this approach and has used the advice from the JRN-AFWG as the basis of management following the same procedures previously used for ICES advice. There is therefore currently no possibility to produce, and no current management need for, ICES assessments for these stocks. This year AFWG is providing ICES advice for saithe, coastal cod north and coastal cod south, with golden redfish (S. norvegicus) advice next due in 2024. In addition, an assessment has been run for anglerfish, although there is no formal request for advice for this stock. Assessments for Greenland halibut, NEA cod, NEA haddock, beaked redfish (S. mentella), and capelin were run at the JRN-AFWG in 2022 and 2023, and there are links to the resulting advice below. Stock-by-stock summaries (ICES) The stock trends for the assessed stocks are as follows: Cod (Gadus morhua) in subareas 1 and 2 north of 67°N (Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea), northern Norwegian coastal cod; cod.27.1-2.coastN The coastal cod north assessment gives an SSB estimate of 71 599 tonnes for 2022 (down from 72 888 tonnes in 2021), and the catch advice is 26 612 tonnes (slightly up from 29 347 t last year). The stock has had a declining trend since 2016, partly due to the weak 2018-year class that is now part of the fishable biomass. There is no Blim for this stock and the status relative to this reference point can therefore not be determined, but SSB is above the biomass limit for which the HCR is valid (SSBlowerbound). The fishing mortality is 0.31, well above target F in the management plan (0.176). However, because of better recruitment in 2020–2021, a small increase in the stock is expected in 2023–2025 even under status quo fishing. It should be noted that this stock cannot be directly managed via a quota (as the fish are not visually distinguishable from NEA cod in the same area), and therefore management is based on gear and area regulation. Cod (Gadus morhua) in Subarea 2 between 62°N and 67°N (Norwegian Sea), southern Norwegian coastal cod; cod.27.2.coastS The new ICES advice guidelines for data-poor stocks indicate that advice should be given on a two-year basis. Accordingly, the advice given in 2022 for 2023 is extended to 2023 and 2024, and no new advice is given. Saithe in subareas 1 and 2 (Northeast Arctic) The NEA saithe stock is currently in good status, with the SSB well above Bpa at 727 666 tonnes, very slightly up from 715 674 t in last year’s assessment. Following the HCR the catch advice is 223 123 tonnes (almost unchanged from 226 794 t last year). This stock, together with the associated North Sea saithe stock, is aiming for a benchmark, likely in 2024. Anglerfish (Lophius budegassa, Lophius piscatorius) in subareas 1 and 2 (Northeast Arctic) Data-limited model results based on length data from the fishery suggest that the biomass seems to be doing well and that the exploitation pattern is appropriate, while the rate might be near/slightly above the level that would lead to maximum yield. Management is based on technical measures rather than a quota. AFWG does not currently give advice on this stock but considers the current assessment of sufficient quality to base catch advice on if requested by the managers. Stock-by-stock summaries (non-ICES) Information for the for the stocks not currently assessed by AFWG (latest 2023 Greenland halibut, NEA cod, and NEA haddock; latest 2022 beaked redfish and capelin) via the IMR website: Barents Sea capelin The JRN-AFWG advice from 2022 is available here: https://www.hi.no/en/hi/nettrapporter/imr-pinro-en-2022-7 NEA cod The JRN-AFWG advice from 2023 is available here: https://www.hi.no/hi/nettrapporter/imr-pinro-en-2023-5 NEA haddock The JRN-AFWG advice from 2023 is available here: https://www.hi.no/hi/nettrapporter/imr-pinro-en-2023-4 Greenland halibut The JRN-AFWG advice from 2023 is available here: https://www.hi.no/hi/nettrapporter/imr-pinro-en-2023-6 Beaked redfish (Sebastes mentella) The JRN-AFWG advice from 2022 is available here: https://www.hi.no/en/hi/nettrapporter/imr-pinro-en-2022-5

ICES advises that when the precautionary approach is applied, there should be zero catches in each of the years 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027. Closed areas to protect spawning should be maintained.

Stock-specific documentation of standard assessment procedures used by ICES. Stock Cod (Gadus morhua) in subareas 1 and 2, north of 67°N (Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea), northern Norwegian coastal cod; cod.27.1-2.coastN. Working group Arctic Fisheries Working Group (AFWG) Created 18 March 2021 Last updated 28 April 2021

In my view, a certain answer to the question— “Should fishing of a stock of fish be increased or decreased?”—can be obtained only by adequate estimates of recruitment, natural mortality, mortality by fishing and growth rate: that is, estimates of all the vital rates. Until those are obtained the problem is not solved. The necessary estimates are not available at present for either the Icelandic stock of cod or the Arcto-Norwegian stock. This publication is part of Rapport et Proces-Verbaux des Reunions Vol. 136, which includes all contributions to a special scientific meeting on cod. To see all other articles in this volume, please click on the keyword "RPVR Vol. 136".

ICES advises on the basis of the approach to data-limited stocks,but cannot quantify the resulting catches. This implies annual landings of no more than 2628 tonnes.

Age, length, and growth studies, and tagging experiments etc. undertaken on cod in Norwegian and Arctic waters have shown th a t there are many reasons for regarding the cod of the Barents Sea, and the spawning cod which every year appear on the Lofoten banks, as belonging to one population, the Arcto-Norwegian stock, or shorter, the arctic cod. This publication is part of Rapport et Proces-Verbaux des Reunions Vol. 136, which includes all contributions to a special scientific meeting on cod. To see all other articles in this volume, please click on the keyword "RPVR Vol. 136".

The impact of environmental conditions on the period of development and formation of plankton biomass in August during the cold and warmer-than-usual years is discussed. Predation is shown to dominate over abiotic effects in influencing the distribution o f copepods during the years of high capelin abundance.Article from Marine Science Symposia Vol. 219 - "Hydrobiological variability in the ICES Area, 1990-1999", symposium held in Edinburgh, 8-10 August 2001. To access the remaining articles please click on the keyword "MSS Vol. 219".

In the absence of reference points and an analytical assessment, the state of the stock cannot be fully evaluated. Stock size is probably low; the estimate from the acoustic survey in 2009 is less than 5% of the estimates at the beginning of the survey time series in the early 1990s. The exploitation rate for this stock is unknown.

Data from the Russian-Norwegian database were used to study food composition of the most abundant Barents Sea fishes (cod, haddock. Greenland halibut, long rough dab, and thorny skate) in the 1990s. Total food consumption by these species is estimated and the impact of these predators on the stock status of commercial species is considered. Article from Marine Science Symposia Vol. 219 - "Hydrobiological variability in the ICES Area, 1990-1999", symposium held in Edinburgh, 8-10 August 2001. To access the remaining articles please click on the keyword "MSS Vol. 219".

ICES advises that when the MSY approach is applied there should be zero catch in 2023.

The new data (landings and survey) available for this stock do not change the perception of the stock in the Barents Sea and Svalbard area. Therefore, the advice for this fishery in 2010 is the same as the advice given in 2007 for the 2008 fishery and re-iterated in 2008 for the 2009 fishery: There should be no directed trawl fishery on Sebastes mentella in Subareas I and II in 2010. Area closures should be maintained and by-catch limits should be as low as possible until a significant increase in the spawning-stock biomass (and a subsequent increase in the number of juveniles) has been verified . In addition, ICES offers the following consideration: Results from the pelagic survey conducted in 2008 indicate a significant, but unquantifiable, spawning biomass in the Norwegian Sea. There are indications, however, that recruitment in the next 12-15 years will be low. A limited fishery is prosecuted at present.

ICES advises that when the precautionary approach is applied, there should be no targeted fisheries on this stock in 2017 and 2018. Based on medium-term projections, annual catches at the recent assumed level (2468 tonnes) would allow the stock to increase at a rate close to that estimated with zero catches. Any possible provision for the landing of bycatch should be part of a management plan, including close monitoring of the stock and fisheries.

The new data (landings, survey and CPUE) available for this stock do not change the perception of the stock and give no reason to change the advice from that given last year in 2008. Therefore, the advice for the fishery in 2010 is the same as the advice given in 2008 for the 2009 fishery: The stock has remained at a relatively low size in the last 25 years at catch levels of 15 000 25 000 t. In order to increase the SSB, catches should be kept well below that range. Catches should be below 13 000 t as advised since 2003; this is the level below which SSB has increased in the past . Additionally, ICES notes that the evaluation of this stock is uncertain due to age-reading problems and lack of contrast in the data. The age-reading issue is being addressed and should be resolved in the not too distant future. Corrections to the whole time-series are required.

The advice for the fishery in 2013 is the same as the advice given in 2011 for the 2012 fishery:“ICES advises on the basis of precautionary considerations that no directed fishery should be conducted and bycatch of this stock in non-directed fisheries should be kept as low as possible.”

Fishery should not be allowed to expand, and a reduction in catches should be considered until such time there is sufficient scientific information to prove the fishery is sustainable.

WGHARP met 30 August - 3 September 2005 in St Johns, Newfoundland, Canada.

The 2012 advice for this stock was biennial and valid for 2013–2014. New data available do not change the perception of this stock. Therefore the advice for 2015 is the same as the advice for 2013: Based on the ICES approach for data-limited stocks, ICES advises that there should be a 20% reduction in effort.ICES advises that effort in 2015 should be maintained at the same level implied by the 20% reduction advised for 2013. This leads tocatches of no more than 8825 tonnes in 2015.

ICES advises on the basis of the management plan of EU, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Russia that catches in 2015 should be no more than 283 013 t. Minor discards are known to take place, but cannot be quantified accurately; the proportion of discards in the total catches are considered negligible.

ICES advises on the basis of the MSY approach that catches in 2013 should be no more than 126 000 t.

The advice given in 2012 for this stock is biennial and valid for 2013 and 2014 (see ICES, 2012a): “ICES advises on the basis of the precautionary approach that there should be no catches of basking shark, and that it should remain a species prohibited from being fished.” The advice is summarized in the table below.

ICES advises that when the precautionary approach is applied, catches should be no more than 11 300 tonnes in each of the years 2016 and 2017. All catches are assumed to be landed.

ICES considered the updated time-series of relevant stock status indices and repeats the advice from last year: “The status of eel remains critical and urgent action is needed. ICES reiterates its previous advice that all anthropogenic mortality (e.g. recreational and commercial fishing, hydropower, pollution) affecting production and escapement of eels should be reduced to as close to zero as possible until there is clear evidence that both recruitment and the adult stock are increasing.” ICES has no new information regarding stocking and this issue has therefore not been revisited in 2012.

ICES considered the updated time-series of relevant stock status indices and repeats the advice from last year: “The status of eel remains critical and urgent action is needed. ICES reiterates its previous advice that all anthropogenic mortality (e.g. recreational and commercial fishing, hydropower, pollution) affecting production and escapement of eels should be reduced to as close to zero as possible until there is clear evidence that both recruitment and the adult stock are increasing.” ICES has no new information regarding stocking and this issue has therefore not been revisited in 2012.

ICES advises on basis of the precautionary approach that there should be no fishing on this stock

The 2009 data do not change the perception of the stock and give no reason to change the advice from that given last year: “Given the low SSB and recruitment for this stock, no catch should be taken from this stock in 2011 and a recovery plan should be developed and implemented.” The survey indicates that the SSB is close to the lowest observed level. Recruitment has declined over the period 19842002 and has remained low since. Recruitment is clearly impaired at present SSB.

The assessment is considered indicative of stock trends, but only provides relative measures of stock status. The stock estimates have varied above the Bmsy level throughout the history of the fishery. Biomass at the end of 2009 is estimated to be well above Bmsy and fishing mortality well below Fmsy.

New data (landings and surveys) available for this stock do not change the perception of the stock. Therefore the advice for this stock in 2015–2016 is the same as the advice for 2014: “ICES advises that there should be no fishing on this stock."