NEAFC request on redfish stock structure in the Irminger Sea

In April 2011, scientists from the Russian Federation presented three new analyses (Annex 4 in ICES, 2011) raising methodological concerns and providing new data regarding the recently defined management areas for Sebastes mentella in the Irminger Sea. ICES Stock Identification Methods Working Group (SIMWG) assessed the new Russian data and analyses on the stock structure of S. mentella in the Irminger Sea and adjacent waters in relation to S. mentella management areas. The review process was conducted by correspondence through the use of two independent non-European experts, who had not been previously involved in S. mentella management issues in the Irminger Sea. The experts are two experienced fish population biologists, based in North America and having complementary expertise.

Based on the assessments from two independent referees (Annex 5 in ICES, 2011) it is the opinion of ICES that the new documents by the Russian Federation do not provide sufficient substance to warrant a change in the recently re-defined management areas and do not support the hypothesis that S. mentella in the Irminger Sea represents a single panmictic unit.

ICES notes that research is continuing on the issue and that further review in a workshop setting would be warranted when new data and or analyses are available.