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A standard hydrographical section in the southwestern Bay of Biscay northward from Santander (3°47'W, 43°30743°54'N) was sampled monthly from 1991 by the “Instituto Espanol de Oceanografia". Changes were observed in the heat content and temperature at the surface in the East North Atlantic Central Water (ENACW) and also at the Mediterranean Water (MW) layers. At the surface, in addition to the typical seasonal cycle that shows rapid warming in the spring and slower cooling in the autumn, there was also a suggestion of a warming trend, but it was not statistically significant. Local and occasional sources of variability, such as coastal upwelling, were also detected. Significant warming trends were found for the shallower ENACW, where water mass characteristic changes occurred along the temperature-salinity diagram (around 0.03 to 0.06°C y-1), and also for the Mediterranean influenced water mass, where its evolution takes place along the isopycnal surface (around 0.02°C y-1). 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".

Time-series of oceanographic and meteorological data collected off the Basque coast, SE Bay of Biscay, show tendencies concurring with the anomaly patterns described for the NE Atlantic area as a whole during the late 1980s and 1990s. Temperature and salinity maxima were reached in the early 1990s after a period of dry and relatively warm winters related to the dominance of south and westerly winds. In the SE corner of the Bay of Biscay, this atmospheric regime increases the occurrence of Eastern North Atlantic Central Water (ENACW) over the continental shelf. Other maxima were recorded during the second half of the 1990s, but the correspondence between the increase of temperature and salinity and the occurrence of ENACW type waters is lower than in the previous period of observation. It would appear that the same climatic regime that favours the intrusion of the ENACW into the SE Bay of Biscay is also associated with warm and dry weather conditions that maintain the temperature-salinity characteristics of the Atlantic Central Waters in this area. 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".

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

Description not yet available

Biological-physical variability in the Cantabrian Sea is examined from data collected between 1993 and 2000. High hake recruitment occurs during years of high but not maximum upwelling in autumn and intermediate subsurface salinities in winter. These results define an optimal environmental window for successful hake recruitment. The variability in the subsurface salinities is believed to be related to the strength of the winter Poleward Current, which in turn is considered to influence hake recruitment through its effect on aggregation and dispersion of pre-recruits. Recruitment is also hypothesized to be negatively affected through insufficient food resources at low upwelling levels and through offshore transport at extremely high levels.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".

This ICES advice must be read in conjunction with the EU VME Advice Data Products (in a zip file) published together with this advice: https://doi.org/10.17895/ices.advice.22643356 ICES presents five spatial management scenarios for vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) protection in EU waters based on new and updated information from 2022 on areas where VMEs are known to occur or likely to occur, as well as on new and updated information on mobile bottom-contacting gear (MBCG) fishing activity up to and including 2021. Four of the five scenarios are updated from previous ICES advice (ICES, 2021a), while the fifth is new. In this advice, the total number and areal extent of VMEs protection polygons ranged 102–115 and 9 752–14 885 km2 among scenarios. Relative to existing EU closures for VMEs protection, management scenarios based on 2022 data result in a 15–17% increase in the total area identified as VMEs protection polygon in EU waters of the Celtic Seas ecoregion and a 49–62% increase in the Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast ecoregion. Changes to VME polygons relative to previous advice (ICES, 2021a) include additions, expansions, and reductions in the number, size, and shape of VME polygons. These changes are based on new/updated evidence of VME occurrence and/or on new/updated evidence of MBCG fishing intensity, resulting in a change in risk of further significant adverse impacts (SAIs) to VMEs where they co-occur with fishing activity. For this advice, ICES was requested to use the VME habitat and indicator taxa listed in Annex III of the EU Deepsea Access Regulation (DSAR), Regulation (EU) 2016/2336 (EU, 2016), on fishing for deep-sea stocks. ICES suggests that Annex III be updated to include the VME habitats, subtypes, and VME indicator taxa identified in ICES 2021a to ensure consistency with the criteria for identifying VMEs in the FAO guidelines (FAO, 2009). ICES advises that, once an area has been closed for VMEs protection, this area should remain protected until reliable evidence of VMEs absences is available and/or bottom fisheries can be managed to prevent further SAIs on VMEs.

The Nephrops in Divisions VIIIa,b have two Functional Units, which are assessed as one entity: a) Bay of Biscay North (FU 23) and b) Bay of Biscay South (FU 24). The advice for 2009 is biannual and valid for 2009 and 2010 (see ICES, 2008).

Advice for 2012 The 2010 advice for these Nephrops stock is biennial and valid for 2011 and 2012 (see ICES, 2010). The overriding management consideration for these stocks is that management should be at the functional unit (FU) rather than the ICES division level. General considerations: Since the landings are well below the TAC, TAC reductions of 10% have been ineffective in reducing the fishing mortality as called for in the recovery plan. In addition, because the TAC covers both fishery units FU 25 and FU 31, a disproportionate amount could be taken from one or the other of the units. This could result in a fishing mortality on one of the stocks which was higher than anticipated.

In the OSPAR area, the degree of interactions may be moderate between finfish mariculture and wild fish populations at the scale of a river local to a salmon farm, but are lower at a broader scale. The supply of food for mariculture creates a demand for small pelagic fish. ICES has advised that the fishing mortality on some small pelagic stocks should be reduced. A risk assessment is presented that identifies the research needed to more fully understand the nature and impact of these interactions and pressures.

Over the past decade, recruitment processes of the two species of Lepidorhombus that overlap in the southern Bay of Biscay seem to respond to similar patterns. This appears to be partially explained by density independent factors. Before summer, egg and larval drift by the currents over the continental shelf play a key role. After summer, the upwelling strength seems to influence survival of juveniles through food availability.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 anglerfish (Lophius budegassa, Lophius piscatorius) and hake (Merluccius merluccius) (WKANGHAKE) was the first ICES benchmark entirely dedicated to assessment models run with the integrated model Stock Synthesis (SS) software. Besides the data workshop, which was held in November 2021, several online sessions were held on a continuous basis with all participants, including the reviewers and chairs between November 2021 and February 2022. Those sessions were focused on model development through constant online feedback between stock assessor teams, reviewers, and chairs. The continuous feedback resulted in several key issues being resolved before the actual benchmark meeting took place in February 2022 and was of great benefit to both the assessment teams and the reviewers. Four stocks, pertaining to the ICES assessment working group WGBIE (Working Group for the Bay of Biscay and the Iberian Waters Ecoregion) were assessed during the benchmark. These were: Hake (Merluccius merluccius) in divisions 8.c and 9.a, Southern stock (Cantabrian Sea and Atlantic Iberian waters; hke.27.8c9a); Hake (Merluccius merluccius) in subareas 4, 6, and 7, and divisions 3.a, 8.a–b, and 8.d, Northern stock (Greater North Sea, Celtic Seas, and the northern Bay of Biscay; hke.27.3a46-8abd); White anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius) in Subarea 7 and divisions 8.a–b and 8.d (Celtic Seas, Bay of Biscay; mon.27.78abd); and Black-bellied anglerfish (Lophius budegassa) in Subarea 7 and divisions 8.a–b and 8.d (Celtic Seas, Bay of Biscay; ank.27.78abd). For all stocks a final model was developed and agreed to be appropriate to determine stock status and provide short-term catch forecast. The extensive exploration of input data and model configurations carried out during the benchmark also resulted in several recommendations regarding on how to improve the estimation of biological parameters to be used in the models, and the possibility of developing area-based models in future benchmarks which would likely allow conflict resolutions in survey indices observed in most of the models.

Division VIIIc has two Functional Units of Nephrops: a) North Galicia (FU 25) and b) Cantabrian Sea (FU 31). The advice for 2009 is biannual and valid for 2009 and 2010 (see ICES, 2008).

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.

Using data from 72 372 stomach contents of 24 demersal fish species from the Cantabrian Sea, decadal variability of trophic levels (TLs) of each of the predators was studied. No clear trends were observed throughout the decade of the 1990s, but a relationship between TL variability and upwelling index was observed. TL variability suggests that it may not be as conservative an attribute of marine species as previously thought.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 evaluations reported here were carried out following an EU request to ICES on an evaluation of proposed harvest control rules for sole in the Bay of Biscay. The au-thors worked together in September 2013 to answer this request. Their affiliations are listed in the Annex.

Four-spot-megrim (Lepidorhombus boscii) in Divisions VIIIc and IXa, advice for 2011.

ICES advises on the basis of the MSY approach that landings should be no more than 78 457tonnes in 2015. Even though some discards are included in the assessment, the total amount of discards cannot be quantified. Therefore, total catches cannot be calculated.

29/06/2023: Update with three annexes (annexes 6, 7 and 8). Two of these annexes relate to mitigation scenarios applied to the Bay of Biscay (Subarea 8) only. In the initial WKEMBYC2 workshop and report that took place in November 2022, mitigation scenarios were applied to both the Bay of Biscay (ICES Subarea 8) and Iberian waters (ICES Division 9a). In order to facilitate direct comparison with previous work when only the Bay of Biscay was considered (ICES Subarea 8), an additional evaluation of mitigation scenarios, considering ICES Subarea 8 only, was conducted in May 2023 (See Annexes 7 and 8 in this report). Taking into account data from 2019–2021 and bycatch mortality estimates based on strandings data, none of the fifteen proposed mitigation scenarios can reduce bycatch of the common dolphin in the Bay of Biscay below the potential biological removal (PBR) limit. Based on data from 2019–2021 and bycatch estimates derived from at-sea monitoring data, six of the fifteen proposed mitigation scenariosare are likely to reduce bycatch of the common dolphin below the PBR limit. Following the special request from the DG MARE, the Workshop on mitigation measures to min-imize bycatch of short-beaked common dolphins in the Bay of Biscay (WKEMBYC2) was estab-lished by ICES. WKEMBYC2 was tasked with updating and revaluating the scenarios previously proposed in the ICES special request advice in 2020. The group was asked to consider recent data on bycatch of common dolphins in commercial fisheries and total fishing effort in the Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast ecosystem, as well as taking into account results from any mitigation trials carried out since the meeting in 2020. In section 2 of this report the efficacy of the scenarios provided during WKEMBYC in 2020 were reassessed using updated bycatch estimates calculated from at-sea monitoring and stranding data collected between 2019 and 2021. Scenarios and methods remained unchanged, to ensure comparability between both evaluations. Similarly, PBR values considered in the 2020 scenarios were again considered here, with the addition of the mPBR which was developed by OSPAR since the last workshop. The annual mortality due to bycatch inferred from French strandings in the Bay of Biscay and along the Western Channel was estimated at about 9,040 (95%CI [6,640 - 13,300]) common dol-phins between 2019 and 2021. In the Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast (areas 8 and 9), the mean annual bycatch estimated from at-sea observations between 2019-2021 across all métiers was 5938 (95% CI 3081-9700) common dolphins. The abundance estimate and PBR values used in this report were the same as those used in 2020; with common dolphin abundance estimated to be 634 286 (CV=0.307) for the European Atlantic Assessment Unit, and PBR for the species calcu-lated as 4926 individuals per year. The management objective of PBR is to ensure that “a popula-tion will remain at, or recover to, its maximum net productivity level (typically 50% of the populations carrying capacity), with 95% probability, within a 100-year period”. A modified PBR (mPBR) value of 985 was also used, with the management objective of ensuring “a population should be able to recover to or be maintained at 80% of carrying capacity, with probability 0.8, within a 100-year period”. Considering bycatch estimates calculated from at-sea monitoring, scenarios with a combination of pingers on OTM/PTB and at least 4-week closure in winter can reach the management objective of bycatch remaining below the PBR. The removal bycatch over a three-month period between the January and March winter period, and an addi-tional month closure in July/August potentially reduces bycatch below the mPBR level for at-sea monitoring bycatch estimates alone. Considering estimates inferred from strandings, a mini-mum of 6-week closure combined with pingers can achieve the objective of reducing bycatch below PBR. None of the scenarios can reduce bycatch below mPBR for either monitoring and stranding bycatch estimates. The narrower the fishery closure, the higher the risk of not achiev-ing the management objective, as the peak of mortality can be missed. In section 3 of the report the workshop participants chose to further explore the scenarios with bycatch rates and estimate bycatch at a finer spatial and temporal scale and to consider addi-tional mitigation measures based on results of newly conducted preliminary trials. This explora-tory analysis allowed particular areas, métiers or periods with evidence of elevated bycatch rates to be identified at higher resolution, however, this approach requires significant at-sea monitor-ing in all strata. If such data were available, this method could be used to highlight specific areas, métiers and periods where particular effort in vessel observation should be deployed or mitiga-tion measures implemented. WKEMBYC2 also recommended a series of monitoring actions to improve bycatch estimates, monitoring to data analysis, mitigation and the assessment of the northeast Atlantic common dolphin.

There is no basis in the current or previous ICES advice for the listing of the common skate (Dipturus batis) as a prohibited species. Therefore it should not appear on the prohibited species list in either the Celtic Seas or the Biscay/Iberia eco-region fisheries legislation. In the Celtic Seas eco-region, ICES considers that stocksof the common skate complex is depleted, and that protective management measures are required. There should be no target fishing on the common skate, and there should be a TAC set at 0. In the Biscay/Iberia eco-region ICES has no information on stock status. In view of the vulnerability of these species to fishing ICES advises, on the basis of the precautionary approach, that there be no directed fishing unless studies are available on sustainable harvest rates.

Request ICES is requested to: 1. Develop Harvest Control Rules for the mixed fishery of S. hake, Nephrops and anglerfish in order to achieve FMSYby 2015. Calculate P (F2015 2. Provide advice on an F policy with a 10% annual reduction, until FMSYis reached. 3. Propose any other effort regime adaptation of the current one and evaluate its options, if appropriate.

This advice concerns the evaluation of mitigation measures to reduce bycatch of the common dolphin only in the Bay of Biscay (ICES Subarea 8), in order to facilitate direct comparison with previous advice. Advice released earlier this year evaluated the same mitigation measures in scenarios applied to both the Bay of Biscay and Iberian waters. ICES concludes that, taking into account data from 2019–2021 and bycatch mortality estimates based on strandings data, none of the fifteen proposed mitigation scenarios can reduce bycatch of the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) in the Bay of Biscay below the potential biological removal (PBR) limit. ICES reaches the further conclusion that, based on data from 2019–2021 and bycatch estimates derived from at-sea monitoring data, six of the fifteen proposed mitigation scenariosare are likely to reduce bycatch of the common dolphin below the PBR limit. Two mitigation scenarios made it possible to reduce estimated bycatch to less than 75% of the PBR, while none could reduce bycatch to less than 50% of the PBR. This is in contrast with previous results based on 2016–2018 data, and reflects greater bycatch estimates in the recent period; these are partly due to improvements in the knowledge base (including métiers covered by at-sea sampling and more accurate assignment of effort to different métiers), and changes in the distribution of common dolphin within the Bay of Biscay. ICES notes that uncertainty surrounding the extent to which the species is distributed, and of its abundance dynamics, are of concern. Availability of bycatch estimates for the species’ entire distribution range, and evaluation of mitigation measures at the same scale, would also increase confidence in the evaluation of the mitigation measures performance. Given the low observation rates in several métiers of concern, ICES reiterates persistent issues in data quality, representativity, and coverage to inform bycatch assessments. ICES recommends enhanced monitoring to assess the effectiveness of management measures (including pinger use) and to augment precision in bycatch mortality estimates of common dolphin.

The ICES survey protocol for offshore beam trawl surveys describes the current methodologies, stratification and sample processing used in the offshore beam trawl surveys that provide fisheries-independent information to the fish stock assessments for a variety of flatfish species. The surveys are conducted by Belgium, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, the Netherlands, and UK (Cefas). The manual also contains (i) an overview of the major historical changes in survey methodology and/or data collection, and (ii) an overview of the main attention points for data-users, e.g. when combining the data of the respective beam trawl surveys, and recommended data processing. The impetus for all the beam trawl surveys in this manual is the need for fisheries-independent information on commercial flatfish species. The prime target species and type of beam trawl are set depending on the survey area and/or the relevance of the species for the national or EU fisheries. Over time, data collection within the surveys has expanded due both to a shift towards a more ecosystem-related general focus and to new data requests by end-users. As a consequence, the collection of epibenthos data has become more detailed over time and age data are collected for more species than at the time the surveys were developed. The current survey objectives are similar for all areas: • Data collection to create fisheries-independent abundance indices by age group (1‑year olds and older) for a number of fish species [e.g. plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), sole (Solea solea), dab (Limanda limanda), lemon sole (Microstomus kitt), flounder (Platichthys flesus), turbot (Scopththalmus maximus), brill (Scophthalmus rhombus), and monk fish (Lophius spp.)] for the sampled area. • Data collection to create fisheries-independent abundance indices for mantis shrimp (Squilla mantis), caramote prawn (Mazzancolla sp.), and common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) in the Mediterranean Sea. • Collection of biological data, including length measurements, on all fish species, including elasmobranch species, for ecosystem analysis purposes. • Collection of data on at least a selection of epibenthos species for ecosystem analysis purposes. • Collection of environmental data (at least temperature and salinity). • Collection of marine litter data. The present document is the 4th edition of the survey protocol. The manual has its origin in national manuals for offshore beam trawl surveys, and can be considered the public version of the national manuals.

ICES advises that when the precautionary approach is applied, catches should be no more than 14 746 tonnes in each of the years 2016 and 2017. Discarding is considered to be negligible.

ICES advises that when the MSY approach is applied, catches should be no more than 13 317 tonnes in each of the years 2024 and 2025. If discard rates do not change from the average of the last three years (2020–2022), this implies landings of no more than 12 785 tonnes.

There are five Functional Units in this Nephrops area, which are assessed as three stocks units: a) West Galicia (FU 26) and Northern Portugal (FU 27), b) Southwestern Portugal (FU 28), and Southern Portugal (FU 29), and c) Gulf of Cadiz (FU 30). The advice for 2009 is biannual and valid for 2009 and 2010 (see ICES, 2008).

Data were collected during autumn groundfish surveys carried out on the eastern con­tinental shelf of the Bay of Biscay from 1987 to 2000. The spatial organization of the demersal fish assemblages is examined using multitable factorial analysis. It shows the species assemblages are organized according to three major spatial structuring factors. Two are orientated mainly along a bathymetric gradient, while the third is linked to a large muddy bottom area near 100 m depth. These features fit well with the 11 surveys analysed. Of the 49 species considered in this study, 11 exhibited limited temporal variations in their abundance and spatial distributions. The variability of mesoscale hydrodynamic features has no measurable effect on the scale of species assemblages, but large-scale hydroclimatic changes seem to affect those species that are at the limit of their distribution range in the Bay of Biscay. 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".

White anglerfish in Divisions VIIIc and IXa (Lophius piscatorius), advice for 2011.

ICES advises that when the EU multiannual plan (MAP) for the Western waters and adjacent waters is applied, catches in 2024 that correspond to the F ranges in the plan are between 1454 and 2489 tonnes.

ICES advises on the basis of precautionary considerations that landings in 2013 should be no more than 26 000 tonnes.

Nephrops in in Division VIIIab (Bay of Biscay, FU 23-24), advice for 2011 and 2012

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

Atmospheric and oceanographic variability off the northern Iberian Peninsula in the 1990s is described from climatological databases and Spanish hydrographic surveys. The wind regime during the dccade can be divided into two principal periods. In the first, northerly (upwelling favourable) winds are prom inent, while in the second, southwesterly winds dom inate, resulting in diminished upwelling, an increase in sea surface tem peratures and the occurrence of the winter polew ard current. In the sub­surface waters during summer, a w arm ing trend through the 1990s of between 0.02 and 0.05°C year-1 is found, with the maximum am plitude between 150 and 200 m. The w arm est year was 1998. Salinity also varied during the decade, with higher salinities generally reflecting an increase in the poleward current and low salinities indicating advection from the inner Bay o f Biscay. In 1995/1996 and 1997/1998, a strong winter surface Poleward Current carrying warm, salty water was present along the Portu­guese coast and reached the southern Bay o f Biscay. It contributed significantly to the heat content in the upper 500 m of the w ater column. The intensification o f the Poleward Current is associated with increased onshore E km an transport during autum n in western Galicia. Sea level variability also reflects wind changes with stron­ger southwesterly winds resulting in higher levels. Mean sea level increased from 1993 to 1997, giving a somewhat greater increasing trend for the last decade com pared to the long-term over the past 55 years. 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 developed regional lists of commercially relevant taxa for each MSFD (sub)region, presented in Annex 1. The lists are based on landing weights and values aggregated from FDI landings data 2015–2020 from EU Member States and include UK landing statistics. ICES advises that EU Member States report for Descriptor 3 (D3) on all taxa provided in Annex 1 for their MSFD (sub)regions to support regional coherence within MSFD (sub)regions. ICES notes that reporting does not necessarly require an assessment of GES. The total number of landed taxa within each MSFD (sub)region should be taken into account when setting regional thresholds for the selection of relevant D3 taxa (Table 1) The regional lists presented here include the relevant widely distributed species for the MSFD (sub)regions; no further criterion is required for this species group. The D3 taxa lists should be updated for each MSFD assessment cycle.

ICES advises on the basis of the MSY approach that catchesin 2015 should be no more than 2407 tonnes. All catches are assumed to be landed.

ICES concludes that taking into account the data from 2019–2021, most of the proposed scenarios to reduce bycatch of the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) in the Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast as described in the ICES advice in 2020 are likely to still reduce bycatch below the potential biological removal (PBR) limit. ICES notes that uncertainty in knowledge of the extent and the dynamics of the species’ distribution area and abundance, as well as the availability of reliable bycatch estimates for the entire range of the species distribution area, are of concern. None of the scenarios, when evaluated with the data from 2019–2021, met the candidate management objective of reducing estimated bycatch to less than 10% of the PBR. This is in contrast to the previous results using 2016–2018 data and is due to greater bycatch arising from a combination of improvements to the knowledge base (including bycatch rates, métiers covered, and effort reporting) and changes in the distribution of common dolphin within the Bay of Biscay. ICES advises for the common dolphin in the Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast a combination of temporal closures of all métiers of concern and the application of pingers on pair trawlers to mitigate bycatch outside of the periods of closure. Given the low observation rates in several métiers of concern, ICES reiterates the issues of data quality, representivity and coverage. ICES recommends enhanced monitoring to assess the effectiveness of management measures (including pinger use) and to augment precision in bycatch mortality estimates of common dolphin.

The Working Group on Mackerel and Horse Mackerel Egg Surveys (WGMEGS) is responsible for the planning, data collection, and data analysis of the ICES triennial mackerel and horse mackerel egg surveys. This report focuses on the execution of the mackerel and horse mackerel egg survey (MEGS) in 2022. The results of the two 2021 online Workshops on Mackerel, Horse Mackerel and Hake Eggs Identification and Staging (WKMACHIS) and on Adult Egg Production Methods Parameters estima-tion in Mackerel and Horse Mackerel (WKAEPM) were discussed, with the subsequent enhance-ments and recommendations proposed during these workshops outlined in the workshop re-ports (ICES, 2022 a,b) and also incorporated into both of the WGMEGS manuals (ICES 2019a, b). Although the broad planning of the 2022 survey was undertaken during the 2021 planning meet-ing and detailed in the WGMEGS 2021 report, the provisionally agreed plan required additional intersessional refinements. The settled plan for the 2022 survey has been included as an annex in the latest version of the WGMEGS Manual for the Mackerel and Horse Mackerel Egg Surveys (ICES SISP 6, 2019a). In 2022, the survey once again faced significant challenges with regards to its ability to provide adequate geographical and temporal coverage given the limited vessel resources at our disposal. In 2022, Portugal, Spain (IEO and AZTI), Ireland, UK/Scotland, the Netherlands, Germany, the Faroe Islands, and Norway participated in the egg survey in the western and southern areas. Denmark and UK/England, with some additional assistance from Norway surveyed the North Sea as a single-pass DEPM survey. This is the first time in many years that all surveys have been completed in the same year. In 2022, the survey was split into six sampling periods. The final period ended in late July. Waters west and southwest of Portugal were surveyed in period 2 only. The Cantabrian Sea was sam-pled in periods 3–5 while Biscay was sampled in periods 3 to 6. The Celtic Sea and waters west of the British Isles were sampled in periods 3 to 7, and the waters north and northwest of Britain towards Iceland and into the Norwegian Sea were sampled in periods 5 and 6. Mackerel daily egg production was highest in period 5, (May), for the western component, while for the southern component the maximum spawning intensity was observed in period 3. Total mackerel egg production (provisional, southern and western component combined) was 1.64 * 1015. Provisional fecundity estimate was 1178 egg per gram female, resulting in an SSB index of 3.88 * 106 tonnes. For the Western stock of horse mackerel, highest mean daily egg production was estimated dur-ing June, period 6. Spawning was very low throughout all survey periods, with an obvious peak occurring in period 6. Total annual egg production for western Horse mackerel was 5.15 * 1014, almost a 300% increase on 2019.

The Working Group on Fishing Technology and Fish Behaviour (WGFTFB) discusses and reviews research and practices of fishing technology and fish behaviour in relation to commercial and survey gears, and provides guidance for management including, inter alia, the impacts of fishing on the environment. The working group is jointly supported by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which have fostered a fruitful working relationship in an international forum. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the group did not meet physically in 2020 and 2021. Whereas the 2020 meeting was cancelled, the 2021 group meeting was conducted solely online (organized by the planned host IMR Bergen/Norway). The 2022-Working group meeting was planned to be held from 28.03.2022 to 01.04.2022 as physical/hybrid meeting in Rostock (Germany). Due to the postponement of all ICES meetings in March 2022, it was decided to hold a short online meeting on 23.05.2022 (see ICES' announcement at Important notice about ICES meetings). The aim of the short meeting was to – at least – give Working Group members the chance to meet and to discuss logistic aspects of the working group, such as end of term of duty for chairs and the 2023 meeting. In addition to the outcome of the discussions during the meeting, this document also contains the national reports describing activities in different countries. National reports are structured to give an overview of current and planned activities in the institutes and organizations of the county that are active in research in fishing gear and fish behaviour. They are an important tool to stimulate collaborative research by highlighting research themes and sharing of ideas that other countries might also benefit from. Current national reports cover a broad field of gear technology research, including research related to bycatch reduction of target and bycatch species (including ETP-species - endangered, threatened and protected species), minimizing the effect on the marine environment, pollution and energy efficiency. In addition to classical gear technology approaches, several projects are presented that focus on techniques, such as computer vision.

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.

There is no basis in the current or previous ICES advice for the listing of undulate ray as a prohibited species. Therefore it should not appear on the prohibited species list in either the Celtic Seas or the Biscay/Iberia eco-region fisheries legislation. Alternative measures proposed by ICES are given separately for the English Channel, SW Ireland, and Biscay/Iberia. In view of the poor knowledge and patch distribution of these populations, ICES recommends a precautionary approach to the exploitation of these populations of undulate ray. Therefore there should be no target fishing unless information is available to show that such fisheries are sustainable.

The main aim of the ICES WKMEGRIM benchmark was to standardize, increase transparency, and review the input data of the assessment for three megrim stocks; namely two Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis stocks in divisions 7.b-k, 8.a-b, and 8.d (meg.27.7b-k8abd) and divisions 8.c and 9.a (meg.27.8c9a), as well as L. boscii in divisions 8.c and 9.a (ldb.27.8c9a). For all three stocks, the data collection methods were reviewed, the biological data (maturity and length-weight relationships) were updated based on newly available data, a variety of tuning indices were considered, and new assessment frameworks were employed and configured. Scrutiny applied to historic data lead to re-assessing how discard data and catches of recruits were treated in the assessment, where catches of recruits reported from old monitoring programmes were removed and set to be estimated in the assessment model. New maturity ogives based on best-practice histological methods were adopted and the use of female-only ogives were selected. Fisheries independent surveys were available, sufficient, and often better (without inexplicable deviations) for all stocks. Therefore, only fisheries independent surveys were utilized as tuning fleets in all assessments. Recent improvements to standardizing the commercial tuning fleets for the southern stocks means these may remain valuable as an independent data source for consideration during assessment working groups. Bespoke and out-dated mechanistic assessment model frameworks were abandoned and statistical catch-at-age models were adopted, using the A4A framework, for all stocks. This results in more reproducible, transparent and easier to run assessments. Future research should focus on differentiating between the sexes in both megrim and four-spot megrim stocks (e.g. growth, maturity, fishery selectivity, habitat and spatial distribution). Preliminary evidence from a new Irish anglerfish and megrim survey points towards substantial differences between the sexes that may warrant sex-specific assessments.

Changes in the structure of fish communities of the Cantabrian Sea Shelf are analysed using information from bottom-trawl surveys carried out every autumn during the period 1990-1999. The trend of ecological indices (species richness and diversity) has been less stable in the shallowest strata during the decade. The effect of environmental variables on the fish communities is explained by interset correlation of canonical axis of canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) with the abiotic variables considered (depth, near-bottom temperature, near-bottom salinity, longitude, and geographic stratum) to determine the assemblages of fishes each year. Interannual variations in the structure of the communities are analysed using multitable methods. In contrast to adjacent areas, the narrowest surface of the Cantabrian Sea Shelf produces strong environmental gradients over a short distance. Depth is the most influential and stable factor determining the assemblages observed. The coastal, outer shelf, and shelf-break communities are the strongest sources of variation, both intra-annual and interannual. Using time-series of indices of the main hydrographic driving agents, Navidad current, and upwelling, we try to discover the causes of the instability of spatial structure of assemblages not explained by the abiotic variables considered in the analyses. 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".

Please note: this advice was updated in October 2022 (ICES, 2022d). ICES advises that when the MSY approach is applied, catches in 2023 should be no more than 24 176 tonnes. ICES notes the existence of a precautionary management plan, developed and adopted by one of the relevant management authorities for this stock. Management of catches of the two megrim species—megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis) and four-spot megrim (Lepidorhombus boscii)—under a combined species TAC prevents effective control of the single-species exploitation rates and could lead to the overexploitation of either species.

Minor corrections made at WGBIE 2023. Stock-specific documentation of standard assessment procedures used by ICES. Stock Northern stock of hake (hke.27.3a46-8abd) Working group Working Group on Bay of Biscay and Iberian Waters Ecoregion (WGBIE) Last updated May 2022 Revised by WKANGHAKE (2022); Dorleta Garcia and Sonia Sanchez-Maroño Last Benchmarked WKANGHAKE (ICES, 2022)

In the absence of defined precautionary reference points, the state of the two stocks cannot be evaluated with regard to these. SSB of both species has decreased since the late 1980s. However, SSB for L. boscii shows a slightly upwards trend after reaching a minimum in 2001. For both species fishing mortality has decreased since the late 1990s. Recent recruitment for L. boscii has been below average. For L. whiffiagonis recruitment has been low in the last decade.

On its western side, the Bay of Biscay is located at the limit between the North Atlan­tic sub-polar and subtropical gyres, while the eastern and southern sides are bounded by land with a large continental shelf to the east and a narrow one to the south. The sharp continental slope results in a separation between hydrological processes taking place on and off the shelf. On the shelf, mesoscale hydrodynamic features, such as coastal upwellings, river plumes, and freshwater lenses, mostly depend upon regional climate forcing rather than upon the general oceanic circulation. Here, we review how three key regional climate and hydrological forcing factors (sea surface temperature, windspeed and river run-off) have varied during the past decade in comparison with multi-decadal historical records. The 1990s were characterized by warmer temperature and windier conditions than during the previous century, while the river run-off is slightly lower than average and highly variable. The Bay of Biscay lies between two regions where the responses to the North Atlantic Oscillation are opposite, and, as a result, it is expected that the NAO would only account for a very small fraction of the variability observed in temperature, windspeed, and river run-off in this region. Our results confirm this hypothesis.Description not yet available. 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 approach to data-limited stocks,but cannot quantify the resulting catches. This implies annual landings of no more than 2628 tonnes.

The occurrence of coastal upwelling along the southern Bay of Biscay in response to easterly winds shows clear seasonal variability, with peak development centred during the spring and summer. The historical series (1993-2000) of autumn temperatures has allowed identification of different patterns of upwelling. One of the main conclusions deals with the non-permanent character of the upwelling fringe along the Galicia-Cantabrian coast. This feature is related to the magnitude, time-span and synoptic occurrence of the winds. The occurrence of westerly winds pushes warm waters onto the coastal regions and leads to a reversal of the current pattern over the continental shelf. This may affect the survival of fish recruits via reduced primary production and its subsequent affect on zooplankton. 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".

Description not yet available

Black-bellied anglerfish in Divisions VIIIc and IXa (Lophius budegassa), advice for 2011

ICES advises on the basis of the MSY approach that catches should be no more than 8417 tonnes in 2015. If discard rates do not change from the average of theyears 2011–2013, this implies landings of no more than 7302 tonnes.