Norway pout (Trisopterus esmarkii) in Subarea 4 and Division 3.a (North Sea, Skagerrak, and Kattegat)

The most recent estimates of SSB (Q3 2009) show full reproductive capacity of the stock (SSB>Bpa). Catches and

fishing mortality has been low in 2008 and first half year 2009. Fishing mortality has generally been lower than the

natural mortality for this stock and has decreased in recent years well below the long term average F (0.6). Recruitment in 2008 was just below the long term average and in 2009 was above average.