Report of the Working Group on Quantifying all Fishing Mortality (WGQAF)

The ICES Working Group on Quantifying all Fishing Mortality (WGQAF) met for the first time in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands, from 21–23 April 2008. The meeting was chaired by Philip MacMullen (UK). WGQAF was established in response to a recommenda‐tion of an earlier ICES EG, the Study Group on Unaccounted Fishing Mortality (SGUFM). The goals of WGQAF, paraphrased from the WG’s ToRs for 2008 include provision of guidance and advice to ensure that:•previously unaccounted mortality is factored into stock assessment,•management measures reflect a greater understanding of the impacts of fishing operations,•resource wastage is be reduced and accounted for, and•data from researchers, gear technologists, vessel operators and the supply chain is incorporated to generate a more global perspective on total fishing mortality.