REPORT OF THE Planning Group on Aerial and Acoustic Surveys for Mackerel

the first time in A Coruña, Spain, from 18–20 February 2002 to:a) identify participants to contribute to the Russian aerial surveys for mackerel;b) co-ordinate collaboration of vessels with the Russian aerial surveys for mackerel in the Norwegian Sea;c) co-ordinate acoustic surveys in the Viking Bank area to ensure full coverage and appropriate areas and timings;d) co-ordinate acoustic surveys in Divisions VIII and IX and to seek survey time for the northern extension of these surveys;e) use the findings of the EU SIMFAMI project to:i) provide a universally applicable mackerel target strength to length relationship for use in all acoustic surveys for mackerel,ii) provide standard methodologies for the use and analysis of multi-frequency data in acoustic surveys for mackerel.