Joint NAFO\ICES Pandalus Assessment Working Group (NIPAG outputs from 2022 meeting)

The NAFO/ICES Pandalus Assessment Group (NIPAG), met online to assess the Northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) stock in Division 4.a West (northern North Sea, Fladen Ground). The objective was to assess the stock status in light of updated 2022 catch data and stock indices. Overall, the different sources of new and updated information (Norwegian survey data, Danish LPUE-index, and a Danish bycatch-based index), indicate that the shrimp stock on Fladen Ground has increased since 2018. 

A Danish observer and self-sampling program for the targeted shrimp fishery was initiated in 2021, which provided biological data of the stock (weight, length, and sex). If a commercial shrimp fishery is continued on Fladen Ground, these 2021 data may form the start of a new commercially based time-series that together with biological data from the Norwegian survey may enable a full analytical assessment of the stock. Due to likely irregular visits to Fladen Ground by the annual IMR shrimp survey an analytical assessment will have to be based mainly on data collected by the commercial fishery.