OSPAR request on Assessment of EROD data and the associated background activity levels

ICES evaluated two available EROD datasets – one comprised data collected and used at WKIMON III and IV and the other consisted of data submitted to the ICES Data Centre. These data were evaluated using either preliminary assessment criteria available for the data submitted to ICES or a statistical procedure developed at the January 2009 meeting of the ICES/OSPAR SGIMC. Both approaches indicated a general decrease in EROD activity over time and spatial differences in activity between OSPAR sub-regions. Although both approaches proved valuable for the current assessment, there is a clear scope for improvement of methods, e.g. through the development of a standardized criterion of EROD activity for each species.

Finally, a potential case study for the QSR 2010 is included as Annex 1: a report of the effectiveness of measuring EROD activity to follow recovery of the marine environment from the impacts of the “Prestige” oil spill.