EU/UK request to ICES on lemon sole, witch, turbot, and brill: review of ICES advice provided in 2018 on the contribution of TACs to fisheries management and stock conservation

ICES advises that its conclusions from 2018 remain valid, meaning that: 1. Removing the EU/UK TACs for the following stocks may generate a high risk of the stocks being exploited unsustainably: Witch (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus) in ICES Division 3.a, Subarea 4, and Division 7.d. Turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) in ICES Subarea 4. Brill (Scophthalmus rhombus) in ICES Division 3.a, Subarea 4, and divisions 7.d and 7.e. 2. Removing the EU/UK TACs for lemon sole (Microstomus kitt) in ICES Division 3.a, Subarea 4, and Division 7.d stock may generate a lower risk of the stock being exploited unsustainably. 3. For all stocks, management should be using a single-species TAC covering the stock distribution area.