Haddock TAC and Advice: North Sea

Haddock ( Melanogrammus aeglefinus) is one of the most important fish for Scottish fishermen. With varying abundance throughout the year it is caught both inshore and offshore by a variety of gears

2011 position:UK share 22,250 tonnes
Last year:22,698 tonnes
Landed into Scotland in 2009:21,067 tonnes
Value for 2009:£20.1 million

MSY and Precationary Approach Reference Points

Type

Value

MSY Approach

MSY Btrigger

140,000 t

FMSY

0.3

Precautionary Approach

Blim

100,00 t

Bpa

140,000 t

Flim

1.0

Fpa

0.7



State of Stock and Advice

  • Fishing mortality in 2009 is estimated to be 0.23: this means that approximately 20%, by number, of all fish between 2 and 4 years of age were caught.
  • Spawning Stock Biomass is estimated to be above Bpa/MSY Btrigger at around 194,000 tonnes.
  • Fishing mortality and biomass are below and above, respectively, the precautionary limits and the level which is consistent with achieving maximum sustainable yield ( F2009< FMSY).
  • The advice is in accordance with the long-term management plan which recommends human consumption landings in 2011 of 36,152 tonnes for areas IIIa (Skagerrak) and IV.

Management Outcomes for 2011

At the December 2010 Council of Ministers meeting in Brussels, the EU Total Allowable Catch for North Sea (IIa & IV) haddock was set at 26,432 tonnes, with the UK quota for 2011 at 22,250 tonnes.

Information Source: ICES advice 2010 ( http://www.ices.dk/committe/acom/comwork/report/2010/2010/had-34.pdf).

Page updated: Monday, June 06, 2011