The ICES advice on exploitation of Northeast Atlantic deep water fish stocks in 2009 and answers to NEAFC special requests has been released today.
The advice concerns a range of deep water fishes and shark species. The advice is developed through a process beginning with an assessment of the status of the fish stocks involving scientists from the countries involved with these fisheries (Denmark, Faroe Islands, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Spain, UK). Their assessment of the status of the fish stocks are found in the Report of the Deep water Fisheries Assessment Group, March 2008. Their work has been reviewed by experts from laboratories that are not involved with the assessments. The advice is developed by scientists from the involved countries and the reviewers. Finally the draft advice is approved by the ICES Advisory Committee. This committee includes one scientist from each of the 20 ICES member countries plus a chair and three vice-chairs.
