Whiting (Merlangius merlangus) in Division 6.a (West of Scotland)

The new landing and survey data available for this stock do not change the perception of the stock and do not give reason to change the advice from 2008. The advice for the fishery in 2010 is therefore the same as the advice given in 2008 for the 2009 fishery: “Given that SSB is estimated at the lowest observed level and total mortality at the highest level over the time period, catches in 2010 should be reduced to the lowest possible level.”

This advice will be updated in 2010.