Saithe (Pollachius virens) in Division 5.a (Iceland grounds)

Based on the most recent estimate of fishing mortality (in 2008) ICES classifies the stock as at risk of being harvested

unsustainably. There has been a change in the selection patterns in recent years, resulting in increasing fishing mortality on younger, small fish. SSB has been declining since 2002 and is at present around the long term average. Recruitment in recent years has been around the long-term average. The weights-at-age are currently at low values.