Report of the Planning Group on Surveys on Pelagic Fish in the Norwegian Sea (PGSPFN)

The report present the results from the acoustic, hydrographic, plankton, and fish sampling during the ICES co-ordinated surveys in the Norwegian Sea in 2003 (Norway, Faroes, Iceland and Russia). The PGSPFN met in Tórshavn, 27-29. August 2003. The survey results include the distribution and stock estimates of Norwegian spring-spawning herring and blue whiting, and the environment (oceanographic conditions and biomass of zooplankton) of the Norwegian Sea and adjacent waters in late winter, spring and summer of 2003. The abundance estimates are used in the fish stock assessment of Norwegian spring spawning herring and blue whiting in ICES (NPBWWG) and the collection of environmental data further improve the basis for ecosystem modelling of the Northeast Atlantic. Broad plans for the ICES coordinated surveys for 2004 are also outlined with descriptions of the relevant protocols and suggested survey designs.