Report of the Working Group on Mackerel and Horse Mackerel Egg Surveys (WGMEGS)

The Working Group on Mackerel and Horse Mackerel Egg Surveys (WGMEGS) is primarily responsible for the planning and analysis of the ICES Triennial mackerel and horse mackerel egg surveys. As in previous years, the annual egg production method was implemented using international egg surveys conducted in 2007 between February 2 and July 16 and associated estimates of fecundity and atresia.The sampling was completed as planned, and the Working Group concluded that in 2007 the temporal and spatial coverage of the plankton sampling was good. Also, the sampling for fecundity and atresia was completed successfully. As with previous years, several replicates from each fish were collected and then distributed equitably between analysis groups according to codes assigned by the coordinator. Unlike 2004, southern samples were included in this scheme as well.