NEAFC and EC requests - Update of cold-water coral and sponge maps and the information underpinning such maps on Vulnerable Marine Habitats (including Hatton and Rockall Banks)

ICES advises that:

• A revised boundary be defined for the Northwest Rockall closure, based on new data.

• A closure boundary be implemented for the Anton Dohrn Seamount, based on new data.

• No revision be made for other existing closures, including those at Hatton Bank, Reykjanes Ridge, and in the Bay of Biscay, due to insufficient new data.

ICES has updated its coral and sponge database and distribution maps for the North Atlantic.