EC request on Blue ling protection areas during spawning period

ICES advises that information on the proportions of spawning blue ling (defined as running males and females, including females with hyaline eggs) and of non-spawning blue ling (all other maturities) at length are recorded at the individual haul level, and that geographical coordinates and depth are also recorded. Sample size should be at least 50 fish at all sampled hauls. Data to be collected should, for each fish sampled, include length, sex, and whether spawning or not.

ICES recommends that the above information be made available for the period January to June for all areas in ICES Divisions Vb, VIa, and VIb in order to obtain a full overview of spawning aggregations across the known range of spawning blue ling.

ICES recommends that MS review their Sampling Plans to ensure that the maturity of sampled blue ling is recorded and that adequate sampling is carried out in, and adjacent to, the blue ling protection areas.