Whiting ( Merlangius merlangus) has not been a particularly valuable species and is primarily taken as a bycatch with other species. They are mainly caught by trawlers using gear with mesh size between 80 mm and 120 mm. In 2009 approximately 50% of the total catch in weight was discarded.
| 2011 position: | UK share 185 tonnes |
| Last year: | 246 tonnes |
| Landed into Scotland in 2009: | 354 tonnes |
| Value for 2009: | £398,000 |
MSY and Precautionary Approach Reference Points
| Type | Value |
MSY Approach | MSY Btrigger | Not defined |
FMSY | Not defined |
Precautionary Approach | Blim | 16,000 t |
Bpa | 22,000 t |
Flim | 1.0 |
Fpa | 0.6 |
State of Stock and Advice
- Fishing mortality is uncertain, but was estimated to have declined since 2005.
- The spawning stock biomass for 2010 is uncertain, but is estimated to be at a historical low.
- Fishing mortality and biomass cannot be determined with regard to either the Precautionary Approach or the transition to MSY Approach.
Management Outcomes for 2011
At the December 2010 meeting in Brussels, the Council of Ministers decided that the international Total Allowable Catch for west of Scotland (VI, EC waters of Vb and international waters of XII and XIV) whiting should be 323 tonnes. The UK quota for 2011 was set at 185 tonnes.
Information Source: ICES advice 2010 ( http://www.ices.dk/committe/acom/comwork/report/2010/2010/whg-scow.pdf).
West of Scotland whiting landings 2009
