EC request - New information regarding impact of fisheries

New information summarizing bycatches of marine mammals and seabirds is presented. Bycatch levels of small cetaceans are considered in relation to their population sustainability. There is a continuing urgent need for mitigation measures to be applied in the Baltic Sea, Kattegat/Belt Seas, and off the Iberian Peninsula to reduce harbour porpoise bycatch, and in the Mediterranean to reduce bottlenose dolphin bycatch. ICES makes a series of recommendations that could improve information and knowledge on bycatch of these species in the future.