Report of the Inter-Benchmark Protocol of Nephrops in FU 17 and 14 (IBP Neph - outputs from 2015 meeting)

This was the first benchmark exercise for the East Irish Sea Nephrops stock - FU 14.

There were three main areas requiring investigation as part of the inter-benchmark process for FU14 Nephrops:

• Revisions to the area of the Nephrops grounds based on new available data: VMS, UWTV data and sediment information;

• A review of fishery data and raising procedures;

• Review of Reference points: F_MSY proxies and MSY B_trigger.