REPORT OF THE STUDY GROUP ON THE ESTIMATION OF SPAWNING STOCK BIOMASS OF SARDINE AND ANCHOVY

At the ICES Annual Conference in Brugge, Belgium in October 2000 (88th Statutory meeting) it was decided (C. Res.2000/2G10) that a Study Group on Estimation of Spawning Stock Biomass of Sardine and Anchovy (SGSBSA) wouldbe established (Chair: Yorgos Stratoudakis) and would meet for the first time in Lisbon from 22-25 October 2001 to:a) design the sardine and anchovy DEPM surveys for spring 2002;b) standardise all methodologies within DEPM, with particular attention on the estimation of spawningfraction;c) decide the most appropriate adult sampling design in cases of anticipated large regional differences inabundance and fish reproductive properties;d) analyse the feasibility of using the continuous underway fish egg sampler (CUFES) to improve DEPMestimates.