Report of the Ad hoc Group on the Distribution and Migration of Northeast Atlantic Mackerel (AGDMM)

<p dir="ltr">This ad hoc group met at ICES Headquarters, 30–31 August 2011 and 29–31 May 2012. </p><p dir="ltr">Over the course of the two meetings, the group met to:</p><p dir="ltr">a) Map and describe the seasonal distribution and migration of NEA mackerel as they are currently understood and how these have evolved over time (by appropriate time periods). </p><p dir="ltr">b) Recommend research to increase the knowledge of NEA mackerel distribution, migrations and factors affecting them. Specifically: </p><p dir="ltr">i ) Review published work on drivers of mackerel distribution and changes in distribution, identifying potential environmental and ecological factors that lead to observed distribution patterns </p><p dir="ltr">ii ) Define suitable ‘mackerel habitat’ for each of the life history stages with regards to the oceanography of the region and feeding conditions over space and time e.g. plankton. </p><p dir="ltr">iii ) Correlate spatiotemporal variability in mackerel migration and distribution to potential drivers such as physical oceanography, food availability, stock size and structure. </p><p dir="ltr">iv ) Highlight any current research gaps, that still need to be addressed and report on the likely processes and/or environmental characteristics that should be monitored to provide advice on the distribution of mackerel.</p>