Report of the Working Group on the Assessment of Mackerel, Horse Mackerel, Sardine and Anchovy (WGMHSA)
The Working Group on the Assessment of NEA Mackerel, Horse Mackerel, Sardine and
Anchovy (WGMHSA) met in ICES Headquarters 4 -13 September, to assess and provide
catch options for these four widely distributed pelagic species in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean.
The WG reports on the status of 7 stocks (see Fig. 0.1 for stock definitions), and in case of
Sardine it only relates to Subdivision VIIIc and Division IX considered the central areas of
distribution of the stock. This year a benchmark analytical assessment is available for NEA
mackerel and update analytical assessments are available for Sardine and Anchovy in Biscay.
Due to its depleted state an assessment and management advice for Anchovy in Biscay were
provided by STECF in June. Exploratory analysis continued on western and southern Horse
mackerel stocks and Gulf of Cadiz anchovy. All these assessments are still in a
developmental stage, whilst no assessment was possible for North Sea horse mackerel due to
lack of coherent data.
History
Published under the auspices of the following ICES Steering Group or Committee
- ACFM