Evaluation of the appropriateness of buffer zones

Both the VME location accuracy and a buffer zone are considered when delineating the closure boundary around VMEs. ICES is confident that the buffer zone considerations used to define the boundaries around the area closures are appropriate and therefore adequate for the protection of VMEs. A schematic diagram of the approach to generate buffer zones is presented. The buffer zones will always be included in ICES advice and will be illustrated where appropriate to the scale of the closure.