Working Group on International Deep Pelagic Ecosystem Surveys (WGIDEEPS; second report)

In 2024 The Working Group on International Deep Pelagic Ecosystem Surveys (WGIDEEPS) prepared the report on the results from the pelagic redfish (Sebastes mentella) survey conducted in the Irminger Sea and adjacent waters in June/July 2024.

The trawl-acoustic survey was carried out by Germany and Iceland. About 242 000 nmi² were covered, covering the northeastern (Subarea A) and southeastern (Subarea B) survey area and part of the southwestern (Subarea E and a negligible part of Subarea F) survey area. As relative survey indices, a biomass of 458 000 t was estimated at depths shallower than DSL by hydroacoustic measurements, about 342 000 t within the DSL, shallower than 500 m by a trawl method, and 422 000 t deeper than 500 m by the trawl method. For the shallow pelagic stock, the observed biomass of 458 000 t was somewhat lower than the estimate in 2021 (490 000 t), while for the deep pelagic stock, 422 000 t is a significant increase in biomass compared to the 2021 estimate of 154 000 t. However, this result must be interpreted with caution, as the catches in certain areas had to be widely interpolated due to some missing samples.

WGIDEEPS recommends that the survey should be continued with at least three vessels to cover the distribution area of redfish in the area. Additionally, the Group recommends that further nations should participate in the next surveys and that chartering of additional vessels and cost share should be considered as alternative to direct participation.