EU standing request on catch scenarios for zero TAC stocks 2023; western Baltic spring-spawning herring (Clupea harengus)

ICES has provided estimated catches of western Baltic spring-spawning herring (WBSS herring), under the assumption that only those fleets targeting other species or stocks will be fishing in 2024.

For herring (Clupea harengus) in subdivisions 20–24, it is estimated that 5436 tonnes (t) of spring spawners (Skagerrak, Kattegat, and western Baltic) will be caught. This assumes the same catch as in the intermediate year 2023 for the human-consumption fleet in the North Sea (fleet A), which targets North Sea autumn-spawning herring, and for the fleet D, which targets fish for reduction in Division 3.a. 

WBSS herring has been advised a zero catch since 2018. The current assessment estimates a slowly increasing SSB since 2020, following the large decrease in fishing mortality in recent years. Catches of WBSS could slow down the recovery of the stock compared to the F = 0 catch scenario in the 2023 advice, however, and this has been observed in the past.