A new short video has been produced highlighting the collaborative approach between fishermen and scientists in their innovative survey to assess the status and composition of herring stocks to the West of Scotland.
The film gives an informative overview of the multi-partner survey, which is using a combination of acoustic data and catch sampling to estimate the abundance of herring and investigate whether stocks in the northern part of this fishing zone (area 6a) are different from those further south.
Such data will then contribute to the international stock assessment process carried out by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea.
The international survey is led by marine scientists Dr Steven Mackinson of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association (SPFA), Martin Pastoors of the Pelagic Freezer-trawler Association (PFA) and Susan Lusseau of Marine Scotland.
‘By adopting such a collaborative approach between scientists and fishermen, we are able to provide valuable data that can be incorporated into the scientific process for assessing herring stocks in this area,’ the SFPA’s Steven Mackinson said.
‘It is a great example of fishermen and scientists working together to ensure a sustainable future for our fisheries.’
