Publication Abstract

Deep-water fish resources in the Northeast Atlantic: fisheries, state of knowledge on biology and ecology and recent developments in stock assessment and management

Deep-water fish resources in the Northeast Atlantic: fisheries, state of knowledge on biology and ecology and recent developments in stock assessment and management

P.A. Large and O.A. Bergstad

Deep-water fisheries in the Northeast Atlantic are described and progress in understanding the biology and ecology of deep-water fishes is reviewed. New fisheries are still developing but most fisheries are either long-standing or have developed over the last 30-40 years. Notwithstanding, knowledge of basic biological and ecological information still lags considerably behind that of shelf species, and this, combined with the poor availability of tuning data, particularly from fisheries independent surveys, continues to hamper stock assessments. The latest ICES scientific advice is that most stocks are harvested outside safe biological limits. Management regulations for deep-water species have recently been introduced by the EU, national governments and NEAFC. The likely efficacy of these measures is discussed and future options outlined.

Reference

P.A. Large and O.A. Bergstad (2005) Deep-water fish resources in the Northeast Atlantic: fisheries, state of knowledge on biology and ecology and recent developments in stock assessment and management. FAO Fisheries Proceedings No 3/1. Rome: 149-161

P.A. Large* and O.A. Bergstad

FAO Fisheries Proceedings No 3/1. Rome: 149-161