Report of the Roundfish Working Group

The terms of reference for this Working Group are given in C.Res.1989/2:4:22: The Roundfish Working Group (Chairman: D. Armstrong) will meet in Aberdeen from 11-23 October 1990 to:

a) assess the status of and provide catch options for 1991 within safe biological limits for the stocks of cod, haddock, whiting and saithe in Subareas IV and VI (including Division IlIa for saithe); cod, haddock and whiting in Divisions Vlld,e and Divisions Vllb,c,h-k (including Division Vllg for haddock); and saithe in Sub-area VII;

b) provide quarterly catch-at-age and catch and stock mean weight-at-age data and information on the relative distribution at different ages by quarter for cod, haddock, whiting, and saithe in the North Sea for 1989 as input for the multi species VPA;

c) assess the effects of the cod box in the German Bight;

d) evaluate by season and area which fisheries for cod, haddock, whiting, and saithe should be considered as separate fisheries;

e) review for cod and whiting the relationship between stocks in the North Sea and in Divisions Vlld and VIle and advise on the appropriate units for assessment and management purposes. Immediately prior to the start of the meeting, the following terms of reference were added:

f) assess the short-term effects of an increase in the minimum mesh size to 100, 110 and 120 mm in the North Sea roundfish fishery taking into account all available information on the 1990 year classes;

g) describe the seasonal distribution of the 0- and l-group haddock in the North Sea during recent years and provide information on the expected distribution of l-group haddock in 1991;

h) consider how it would be possible to maximise the sustainable take of whiting in the North Sea while improving technical measures to conserve cod and haddock stocks.

Agenda items (f) and (g) were requested by the European Commission on 9 October. Agenda item (h) was requested by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland on 2 October and the request was supported by the Danish Ministry of Fisheries in a letter of 5 October.