EU request to assess the effects of lifting the “sprat box”

ICES advises that the proportion of herring caught by weight in an experimental fishery for sprat was higher outside than inside the sprat box, but there was no difference when measured by number. On this basis, fishing inside the sprat box would be expected to reduce unwanted catches of herring (by weight) compared to fishing outside; ICES advises that it is unlikely there would be any effect on herring or sprat stocks if the sprat box was lifted. ICES considers that there is no further need to review the sprat box as other management measures are sufficient to control herring bycatch.