International Council for the
Exploration of the Sea
C.M. 1915/F:l
Administrative Report
DEMERSAL FISH (NORTHERN) COMMITTEE
(A. Hylen)
1914
Belgium
(P. Hovart)
Work at sea
The determination of thedensity and the stock composition of juvenile soles,
plaice, dab, flounders, gadoids along the Belgian coast has been continued
by means Of monthly cruises by the RV "Hinders".
Two cruises were carried out for the demersal young fish survey in collabo' : . " ration wi th Holland and Germany.
Work on fish
The market sampling was continued covering several species and areas : Cod :
North Sea; whiting : North Sea; plaice : North Sea, English Channel, Bristol
Channel, Irish Sea;sole: North Sea, English Channel,Bristol Channcl,Irish Sea.
Season
Spedes
Sole
-
I IV
I
,
VIIi
·1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
No. of sampies
Research
Market
vessel
sampies
-
No
Measured
of
Fish
Aged
11
11
9
12
1352
1177,
1145
1413
190
210
209
210
-
11
8
13
11
1181
886
1938
1457
200
220
210
210
-
683
796
845
666
247
257
140
210
-
-
--
1
2
3
4
--
7
9
6
5
VII d, e
1-4
-
3
278
200
P1aice
1
2
3
-
11
12
713
659
486
711
150
150
148
140
390
240
VIIa
rv
VIIf
-
7
4
-
12
1-4
-
10
••
,'
-I"'
I
- 2 -
I
Species
Season
VIIa
.1-4
VII d, c
,
Cod
IV
1-4
1
2
3
4
Whiting
IV
Haddock
IV
1
2
3
4
1-4
No. of SampIes
Research
Market
Vessel
SampIes
-
..
..
-
No. of Fish
Measured
AC ed
8
418
250
3
198
50
9
11
15
7
280
369
403
529
205
229
350
265
-
--
5
4
4
8
60
111
155
395
60
80
110
200
-
7
417
-
Canada
(A. W.
".'
May)
A more extensive report on demersal fish research by Canada in 1974 is
contained in the Canadian research report to the 1975 Annual Meeting
of ICNAF. Sampling data have also been reported in detail to .ICNAF.
lleavy emphasis continued on stock assessment in relation to ICNAF quota
regulations, and new assessments were prepared for a number of demersal stockc.
All the major demersal stocks off the Canadian Atluntic coast are now under
quota regulation. To provide the data base necessary for continued rovision
and updating of stock assessments, intensive research vessel surveys and
.
commercial samp1ing from national fisheries were continued in 1974, and
associated biological data collected for all specios.
Analysis of changes in stocks of American plaice on the Grand Bank rovealed
a decline of about 5070 in adult stock size between 1956-58 and 1968-69 in
response to incrcascd fishing on a relatively unfishcd stock. Incrcases in.
growth rate were closcly correlated with the decrease in stock size. Decline in abundance of yellowtail flounder on the northern Grand Bank, indicated by research vessel surveys, was probably associated with very low
water temperatures during the past several years.
Declines in inshore cod catch, catch per man, average age and percentage of
mature fish in the catches in inshore Labrador and eastern N'C\"rfoundland were
associated with increased fishing intensity in the offshore cod fisheries.
Analysis of data from survey cruises in the Gulf of St Lawrence revealed
good correlation between catches of 2 year old juvenile cod and the size
of thc s~~c year classes at age 4 in the commcrcial fishcry. Also analysis
of larval catches of cod in the Gulf shows good correlation with survey
vessel catchen or 2 year old juveniles.
As a basis for assessment of the use of parasites in stock identification
of rlatfish, a study is being carried out or the species and abundancc or
intestinal parasites of the common flatfish species of the Scotian Shelf
and Gulf of st Lawrence •.
- 3 Results of cod tagging experiments off southwestern Nova Scotia
confirm the hypothesis that the cod on offshore banks form a
population distinct from those inshore. Overexploitation of the
offshore stock has reduced the population weIl below that giving
maximum sustainable yield.
The southwestern Nova Scotia haddock stock has received moderately
good recruitment in 1969, 1971 and 1972 and should show modest increases in spawning stock abundance through imposition of quota
regulations, fo11owing a dangerous1y low spawning stock level in
1974.
•
Denmark
(H.Knudsen)
RV "Dana" took part in the Young Fish Survey in the North Sea in February.
Harket samp1es were co11ected in Esbjerg, Hvide Sande, Thybor0n (North Sea),
Skagen, North Sea, Skagerak and Kattegat, Grena (Kattegat).
~speCies and
-Area
Season
Cod
North Sea,IV
Kattegat,IIIa
Haddock
North Sea,IV
_',ttegat,IIIa
,
Whiting
North Sea,IV
Kattegat,IIIa
Norway Pout
North Sea,IV
No. of Samp1es
Market
Research
SampIes
Vessel
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
22
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
16
1
"2
3
4
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
-
-
.
-
-
-
25
-
-
9
-
-
,
No. of Fish
Measured
Aged
9
13
16
31
6
3
6
20
1 073
515
821
416
120
131
149
568
23
10
15
72
7
2
2
14
3 117
112
269
525
28
35
53
75___
2 050
63
71
413
18
64
28
41
85
12
3
8
22
6 358
910
972
1 376
183
109
707
1 563
1 390
756
1 406
1 053
83
33
.11
13
25
7 455
967
1 615
3 830
6 595
743
1 476
3 829
784
495
790
404
107
122
122
371
-23
32
-
474
825
..
r
- 4 No. of SampIes
Area
Season
Research
Vessel
Market
SampIes
-
1
3
3
1
North Sea,lV
1
2
3
4
-
4
Kattegat,IIIa
1
2
3
4
-
5
6'
1
2
-
-
Plaice
Sole
North Sea,IV
-
4
-
-
No. of Fish
Measured
-
.-
-
-
3 605
Aged
195
585
535
188
"
622
519
483
500
-
479
France
(G. Lefranc)
Travail en mer
Du 23 avril au 14 mai une campagne du NO "Thalassa" conduite dans les secteurs
Vb et plus specialement dans 10. region septentrionale du plateau des lIes
Faeroes puis sur les banc Faeroes, Bill Bailey et Rosemary, nous 0. permis dtune
part, de prospecter les fonds mal connus situes au-dela de Itisobathe 350 et,
dtautre part, dletudier 10. repartition des differentes especes (lingue bleue,
sebaste, lieu noir, eglefin, grenadier, fletan noir et merlan bleu), en
fonction de 10. profondeur, des conditions hydrologiques et de 10. nature des fonds.
En fin de campagne quelques journees ont ete consacrees a des observations biologiques sur les concentrations de lieu noir aux accores du plateau continental
situe au nord de,lIEcosse.
Les secteurs de lilIe de 1 1 0urs, de 10. cote occidentale du Spitsberg et de 10.
cote mourmane ont ete prospectes du 14 juin au 29 juillet 1974. De nombreuses
donnees biologiques et biometriques concernant notamment 10. morue ont ete
rassemblees :
Travail au laboratoire
Lesreleves statistiques des apports de lieu noir, de merlan, de morue,
dteglefin et de lingue bleue en fonction des secteurs sont poursuivis
par les laboratoires de Boulogne-sur-Mer et de Lorient, ce laboratoire
effectue regulierement un echantillonnage des captures commerciales. Les
compositions en tailles et en age des apports de lieu noir ont ete definies
pour les secteurs IVa et Vb •
l
Par ailleurs, llexploitation des donnees recueillies au cours des campagnes
du NO "Thalassa" nous 0. permis d1etablir pour plusieurs gadides des correlations taille/poids plein, Taille/poids vide, de connaitre les compositions
en tailles et en ages des stocks exploites et notamment d1apprecier la tres
grande richesse de 10. classe dtage 1970 pour.la morue de 10. Mer de Barents et
de 10. region Ile de ItOurs/Spitsberg.
~
-
- 5 Echantillonnage
MOHUE
J
Region
-Saison 1974
II_Nb.
d'eohant~ons_
I
Bateau
de
recherche
---1------Juillet
Juin
Avril - mai
6
l
Marche
1:b.
de poissons
mesuräs
Nb. otolithes
preleves
- - - -------------- - - 5 673
1 868
13
6 072
1 532
8
36
36
522
156
417
492
34
'------------------- - - - - ------ ------.-------ltlERLAN
r
VIIa
VIIa
VIIa
Janv.-Fev.-Mars
Avril-Mai-Juin
Juil-Aoüt-Sept.
Vlla
Oct. Nov.-Deo.
-
4
2
4
3
507
---------
EGOO'IN
I
l-Juillet
IIb
Juin
Vb1
Avril-Mai
Avril-Mai
IVa
•
LI~lJ
3
3
6
757
2
125
13
448
173
65
94
184
-234
45
-----
NOIR
Vb1
IVa
IVa
VIa
VIa
VIIa
-----
Avril-Mai
Avril-Mai
Juin
Janv.-Fev.-Mars
Avril-Mai-Juin
J anv .-Fev.Mars
3
1
lI
11
°
220
2
1
1
---------------_. _._..
359
102
220
374
91
39
--------------------_.~
- 6 -
Iv1~IU
----1 P"
"
'::p-'~on
i
f
,.
1974
;ja~Son
I
i~b. d'~ch~L~llons
13ateau
I
II
~
de poissons
N"b. otol1thes
. . Nb.
,
" ,
,
_______________
_
J
LINGUE BLEUE
Vb 1
Avril-Mai
13
Vb2
Avril-mai
7
VIa
Avril-Mai
5
lIb
J
I
"!
II
,
600
427
34
;:jBBA;.j'l'ES
Vb 1
------------------
Juin
Avril-Mai
3
12
~-
705
550
I
I
I
~
-,-=J
" F'Lt~AN NOIR
IIb
Juin
2
Vb1
Avril-Mai
Vb 2
Avril-Mai
3
1
273
137
3
~
- 7 German Democratic Republic
(H. stein, P. Ernst)
Sampling
Species and
Area
Redfish 1 )
IIa
Va 2 )
Vb 1
r
Type of
Fish
Quarter
-
I
II
III
I
I
Immat.
and
Adults
"
-
III
Immat.
and
Adults
IV
I
I
Immat.
and
Adults
-
No.of Fish
Measured Aged IExam~ned
racially
5
10
-
2 441
908
2 488
400
1 385
8
-
16
7
6
15
It
Cod
I
No. of SampIes
itesearch or
Fish. Vessel Harket
400
200
600
-
-
355
-
1 294
250
-
-
4 947
5 003
1 919
1 499
279
767
-
-
571
910
629
185
862
667
927
164
240
492
423
639
001
500
-
400
ttJreenland
"'Halibut
IIb
Va2 )
Vb l
Saithe
Vb 1
IIa
IIa
IIa
IVa
IVa
IVa
Haddock
IIa
I
I
II
III
II
III
IV
19
21
2
16
5
28
6
10
14
Immat.
and
Adults
-
.1
-
I
1
3
1
1
2
1
2
1
1
-
200
-
~
-
I
241
-
-
407
1
-
1
Vb 1
I
Immat.
and
Adults
Whiting
IVb
I
Immat.
and
Adults
3
-
771
100
-
III
Immat.
and
Adults
10
-
1 394
350
-
I
Immat o ·
and
Adults
8
-
1 147
150
-
QQi
I
Great Silver
Smelt
Vb 1
.
1) Sebastes mentella, mar~nus and
2)OnlY Rosengarten area.
.
viv~parus
- 8 -
Other activities: With the exception of Haddock (area IIa and Vb 1 ),
Whiting (area IIb), and Si1ver Sme1t, weight and contents and capacity
of stomachs were carried out.
SampIes of organs of saithe were taken for biochemiea1 investigations.
Research Vesse1 Surveys
Area
Date
Objectives
Saithe
Redfish
Northern North Sea
Kopytov
Northwestern
Coast of Norway
21. - 22.1.·74
2.2.74
~aroe
26.2.-7.3.74
Rosengarten
East Ice1and
9.3.-14.3.74
15.3. - 23.3.74
Redfish, Greenland
Ha1ibut, Saithe, :B1ue
Ling
Redfish
Greenland Ha1ibut
Northern North Sea
Northwestern
Coast of Norway
Northeastern
North Sea
,
:Barents Sea
Northern North Sea
24.6. - 26.6.74
Saithe
29.6. - 12.7.74
Saithe, Redfish
16.7. - 21. 7.74
Saithe
4.11. - 17.11. 74
21.11. - 25.11. and
7.12. - 16.12.74
Greenland Ha1ibut
Saithe, Redfish
3.2. - 7.2.74
. Sai the
Tagging
No tagging experiments were carried out in 1974.
Germany,Federa1 Repub1ic of
(A. Meyer)
Continuation of the biologiea1 studies at sea on research vesse1s and the
markets with 1ength measurements, co11ection of oto1iths, maturity dat~ and
food.
Research trips to the fo11owing areas :
Months
2
3
5
6
7
8
9
1~
12
Area
IV
I, IIa, IIb
Vb , VIa
1 IV
I
IIb, IV
Va
VIa, IV
VIa
•
Samplinl~
Data
Harket Samples
RCGcarch Vessnl Samples
Species
Season
Area
Ho. ef
Snmples
No. ef Fish
I\~easured
Aged
No. of
Samples
Ho. of Fish
Measured
Aged
Cod
I
Ha
IIb
IVa
IVb
IVc
Va
1
2
3
1
1
3
4
1
3
4
1
2
3
4
1
4
5
1281
582
16
5793
1784
8
8
30
237
2217
8841
237
725
1478
11
1
13
32
4
197
438
414
678
2633
854
5480
170
156
134
250
319
511
2
2
1
1
500
1708
160
155
1
2
4
VIa
XIV
4
1
4
53
38
,
1
416
145
6
1536
853
1
296
189
1
149
158
97
2
135
103
273
1
1
1
368
370
260
135
172
148
4
1510
697
4'
1410
706
S[lmplinl~
Da ta
Harket SampIes
Rcoearch Vessel SampIes
Species
Senson
Area
Ho. of
Samples
Ho. of Fish
!.~easured
Aged
No. of
Samples
Ho. of Fish
!.~easured
Aged
Haddock
I
1
3
3
7
327
947
265
515
IIa
1
1
3
1
3
4
1
3
1
11
721
17 1
1516
6042
2861
3437
3327
318
310
146
531
1793
660
926
1380
IIb
IVa
IVb
IVc
3
9
17
3
13
27
2
1
2577
985
.....
4
o
Va
1
4
VIa
4
4
12
1
2126
321
50e
1
2
4
30
2
1723
126
1122
115
V-Ib
6
1
1
654
346
119
134
6
4
2139
1321
17 10
1260
897
675
3
3833
1873
811
903
1556
873
539
337
2
11
11
625
3362
3605
625
2640
1514
8e
Saithe
IIa
IVa
4
9
6
1
2
3
4
Va
1
2
3
5
1
1256
40
816
3
I
•
Snmvl inl:' Da ta
Research Vessel SampIes
Species
Season
Area
No. of
Samples
No. of Fish
l!easured
Aged
Harket Samples
No. of
SampIes
Uo. of Fish
I,1easured
Aged
Saithe
Va
Vb
1290
2
1959
713
283
257
643
3
3
1
3
1242
695
288
731
480
4
2
3
4
19
8
19
24
5
1
2
4485
1941
3730
4480
1176
315
200
600
·3°0
1200
574
200
100
200
1
3
1198
400
7
2
1
4
1
2
3
4
1
363
283
257
643
Redfish
I
1
24
4212
950
IIa
1
2
3
4
23
3097
600
Va
1
2
~
./
Vb
XIV
6
909
567
100
Sn!:1nlinl~
Data
nc~earch
Spe.cies
'.
Season
Area
llarket SampIes
Vessel SampIes
No. of Fish
No. of.
Snmples
Measured
No. of
Samples
Aged
no. of Fish
Measured
Aged
Whi tin/)'
IVa
1
3
4
1
2
3
4
1
4
15
1
1
30
1
1
7
2
1
1
2
3
4
5.
5
3
IVa
3
4
1
1
2
3
IVb
.1
4
1
1
2
835
38
IVb
IVc
Sole
-
IVb
1294
333
381
5345
89
82
3557
1152
1006
.
149
158
97
567
1069
285
5
168
158
97
25
690
474
104
9
11
153
159
102
4213
509 1
3484
3538
7
17
5
149
158
97
286
2526
2764
4622
186
181
18
Pla.ice
2
3
4
. IVc
4
258
Dab
IVa
1
2
3
4
1
1
1-
1292
684
192
•
SD.r.1Dlinl~
Da ta
Research Vessel Samples
Specics
Scason
Area
No. or
Samples
}ro. of Fish
!\~easured
Aged
11arket Samples
Uo. or
Samples
!lo. of Fish
Measured
Flounder
IVb
IVc
2
1
3
1
4
1
37
16
22
1
1
119
50
120
116
30
27
15
Aged
- 14 Iceland
(J.J6nsson)
The RV "Bjarni Soomundsson" and RV "Hafthor"were engaged for the greatest
part of the year with a research programme on species within the scope
of thisCommittee.
A total of 21 trips were made in the Iceland and East Greenland area.
Sampling from commercial fisheries was continued as in previous years.
The table below shows the material collected from the main commercial
species in 1974.
Area/species
Sex
Length
Otoliths
Marked
Total
Ieeland.
41941
2853
9304
2140
56238
37824
1515
4620
1026
44985
5520
471
1913
-
7904
24288
5625
722
-
30635
S. mentella
224
1463
26
-
1713
S. viviparus
3847
252
-
-
4099
Plaice
Halibut
-
-
2139
3847
5986
10
359
816
1185
Greenl. Halibut
Catfish
-
-
595
2640
Cod
Haddock
Saithe
S. marinus
Norway Pout
I
14
124
Silver Smelt
1407
Grenadier
1229
I
3235
I
4412
1900
2498
1156
-
1280
1960
1344
492
367
364
-
512
22
I
3243
I
I
E. Greenland
Irminger Sea.
Cod
Haddock
187
39
-
-
-
-
721
39
S. marinus
3464
3445
551
-
7460
.mentella
S. viviparus
Silver Smelt
1638
1732
460
-
3830
36
-
-
-
36
23
353
227
-
603
S•
-
----
.
I
- 15 Ireland
(J.P. Hillis)
Cod
Cod from the Irish Sea (VIla) were sampled at port. The fish examined were
from commercial landings, fish fr om research vessels using commercial type
equipment also being examined.
Haddock
Studies on the Donegal Bay population (Vla/Vllb-e) were commenced with a port
sampling programme during July and August.' Fish were sampled in two strata
imposed at sea, gutted and "round" (ungutted), length, age and weight data
being collected.
'
Plaice
A programme of research on plaice in the Irish Sea (VIla) was initiated by
collection of specimens,where feasible,from mixed species research vessel
catches during the year.
_
Sole
A long-term programme of survey cruises was commehced in the Irish Sea (VIla)
and off the south coast (VIIg·-k) measurements and age of the total catch being
taken. It is hoped that these surveys will gradually yield a composite picture
of the exploited stock, but owing to the low density of the species, especially
in the Irish 3ea, this is expected to take same time.
Sampling Data
Species
QQ..9:.
ICES
Aren
Months
VIa
Vlla
Vlla
Vlla
Jul
Jan-Mar
Apr-May
Oct-Dec
source K )
L(cm)
C
R
R
R/c
41
516
152
567
1 235
Area Total
--------- ----------- '--------
--------- ~-------C
2 134
Haddock
Jul-Aug
VIa
--------- ~-------- --------- ----------- r-------Plaice
--------Sole
*)C
Vlla
Vlla
Feb-Mar
Uov
R
'R
Area'Total
-------Jan-Mar
Vlla
Mar-May
VIIg-k
--------
~ Commercial sample; R
=
144
88
232
-----------------R
30
R
312
Number sampled
Age
Sex
Wt(kg)
41
516
152
330
998
-------
1 396
------144
88
232
-------
-
research vessel sample.
Food
41
516
152
330
-
-
330
330
998
330
330
144
88
144
88
-
-
-
------- ------ -----1 296
------- ------ -----232
232
------ -----------30
312
-
-
,----------------------
- 16 Nether1ands
(J.F. de Veen)
Work at Sea
The RV "Tridens" made 25 cruises in the Committeets area of which 9 were
main1y devoted to work within the scope of the Demersa1 Fish (Northern)
Committee. The corresponding numbers of cruises by the RV "Wi11em
Beuke1sz" were 32 and 16. The RV "Stern" and the RV "Schollevaar"
made together 23 cruises devoted to demersa1 topics in the Nether1ands
(
estuaries. The RV "Stern", RV n Tridens", RV "Wi11em Beuke1sz"and RV"Scho11e
vaar" made two joint cruises (in April and October) to analyse the stocks
of juvenile sole, p1aice, dab, f10under, gadoids, brown shrimp and other
organisms in the nurseries of Be1gium, Holland, Germany and part of Denmark in cooperation with Be1gian and German research vesse1s.
Work on Fish
Plaice
The stock analysis by means of market samp1ing was continued. Analysis of
the catches of the young fish cruises in the southern and centra1 North
Sea continenta1 coasta1 areas revea1ed that the 1913 year c1ass is about
average'and the 1914 year c1ass poor.
/
~
The stock analysis'by means of market samp1ing of soles from different
10ca1ities in the North Sea, Irish Sea and the Bristo1 Channe1 was
continued.
One cruise was made to the Irish Sea for census purposes. Another cruise
was devoted to the Gu1f of Biscay and to theGu1f of Cad!z also for
cens'\1s purposes.
An analysis of the catches of undersized sole in the Be1gian, Dutch and
German eoasta1 areas was made in April and Oatober for prognosis purposes.
Year e1ass 1913 appeared to the above average, but year e1ass 1914 was
very poor indeedo
The year e1ass 1912 whieh as 0- and I-group appeared to be poor in the
nurseries eovered, turned out to be good as II-group, main1y in the ,
1ines of stations worked by "Tridens" near the Danish and the German eoasts,
and gave rise to an inerease in autumn 1914 in the Dutch eommercia1 catches.
This year c1ass is an examp1e of how we fai1ed to assess the real strength
of a year c1ass as 0- and I-group because cf incomp1ete coverage of
the nurseries by the Waddensea programme. More than 50% of all continenta1
nurseries are not samp1ed. Research on factars inf1uencing recruitment
to the North Sea sole stock was continued. Sole 1arvae and new1y metamorphised baby soles appear to live on1y in the first 40 cm above the bottom
and feed (for a greater part) on Harpacticidae. The plankton samp1ing
device for bot tom 1ayers proved to be successfu1 and will be refined further
to take samp1es from all 1ayers between 0 and 80 cm above the bottom.
/
In the list giving details on samp1ing some changes in relation to correponding 1ists for preceding years can be noticed.
~
...
- 17 Only in the first quarter soles were measured in the fish market but not
in the other seasons. Soles are sorted in the fish market by means of ,
a board with marks giving the limits of the market categories used throughout the Netherlands. These boards are used in all fish markets. Thus,
total Dutch landings are now given per market category and instead of
length-age keys only age sampIes per category are necessary, which can
be used to raise to total catch per category.
Summing the total categories' age composition gives the age composition
of the total catch.
In order to give fairly accurate estimates of this age composition
the number of age sampIes and thus the number of soles aged has been
doubled as compared with preceding years.
The following numbers of fish per species were tagged :
Sole
Plaice
Ji"lounder
Adults
Juveniles
2 603
689
4 487
399
The study of consumption and production, started some years ago, was
finished. A small scale stomach analysis project was started on whiting
and possibilities of extension of this type of work to other species
is presently investig~ted.
Cod, haddock and whiting
The stock analysis by means of market sampling was continued. A study
was made of discarding of cod and haddock on board of otter-trawlers and
pair-trawlers.
Special attention was paid to growth aspects of whiting. In June the
Institute participated in a joint O-group survey of gadoids with England
and Scotland.
For the fifth year in succession a cod egg/larvae survey was carried
out in the southern North Sea. Since the RV " Willem Beukelsz" will be
taken out of service, this project has to be stopped.
O-group estimates of gadoids derived from the Young Herring cruises
showed a strong year class 1974 for cod, haddock and whiting in the
northern North Sea.
Sampling data for Plaice
area
season
.
No. of samples
Number of Fish
for age-determination
only
research
vessel
IVb
IVc
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
quarter
quarter
quarter
quarter
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
quarter
quarter
quarter
quarter
12
13
6
-6
market
measured
aged
71
5
7
8
6510
1330
1680
1260
4970
1248
490
1326
4970
1248
490
1326
33
3
5
8
3500
910
1120
840
2310
560
350
849
2310
560
350
849
racial
investigations
/
Dutch
Waddensea
2nd quarter
4th quarter
8
14
-
3139
2793
246
510
246
510
Zeeland
estuary
2nd quarter
4th quarter
3
1
-
-
663
1014
215
93
215
93
63
140
24759
13167
13167
Total annualy
-
.,
Sampling data for Sole
area
season
Number of Fish
No. of sampIes
for age-determination
only
research
ship
-
-
300
1529
250
451
-
-
-
975
975
-
-
928
441
98
92
98
92
-
1
-
642
483
-
8
8
50
157
5469
9046
9046
quarter
quarter
quarter
quarter
-
1st quarter
2nd q ua 1'ter
3rd quarter
9
-
Dutch
Waddensea
2nd quarter
4th quarter
6
6
Zeeland
estuary
2nd quarter·
4th quarter
Total annually
racial
investigations
300
1529
250
451
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
Vlla
aged
600
3775
400
568
quarter
quarter
quarter
quarter
IVc
measured
600
3775
400
568
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
IVb
market
5
-
13
4
6
12
75
8
7
1700
6
30
5
6
1275
8
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Sampling data far Cod
area
season
No. of sampIes
Number of Fish
for age-determination
only
research
ship
IVa
IVb
IVc
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
quarter
quarter
quarter
quarter
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
quarter
quarter
quarter
quarter
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
quarter
quarter
quarter
quarter
Total annually
6
--
-
market
2
2
1
2
-
measured
aged
1040
600
285
480
560
140
50
110
-
-
140
200
100
racial
investigatians
-
-
-
2
300
800
700
-
-
4
4
2
3
1500
900
900
700
200
240
100
150
-
6
28
8205
1990
-
-
2
4
-
rv
o
•
•
~ampling
data for Haddock.
season
area
Number of Fish
No. of samples
for age-determination
only
research
ship
IVa
IVb
IVc
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
quarter
quarter
quarter
quarter
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
quarter
quarter
quarter
quarter
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
quarter
quarter
quarter
quarter
Total annually
3
-
1
-
4
market
measured
3
2
1
3
1100
700
600
1000
300
100
50
150
1
2
3
2
720
550
600
600
85
100
150
100
-
-
-
-
aged
racial
investigations
-
-
-
-
1
2
180
295
50
100
-
20
6345
1185
-
,\)
t-'
!ampling data for Whiting.
season
area
No. of sampIes
Nurober of Fish
far age-determination
only
research
ship
.
IVa
IVb
IVc
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
quarter
quarter
quarter
quarter
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
quarter
quarter
quarter
quarter
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
quarter
quarter
quarter
quarter
Total annually
market
measured
aged
racial
investigations
-
-
3
2
1
2
600
450
235
500
250
100
50
100
2
2
3
1
425
600
900
450
100
100
150
50
-
3
2
2
5
1700
800
1500
1295
250
100
100
250
-
6
26
9455
1600
-
2
-
-2
-
.
-
-
-
-
-
~
•
•
Sampling data for Saithe.
area
season
No. of samples
Number of Fish
only for agedetermination
IVa
IVb
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
quarter
quarter
quarter
quarter
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
quarter
quarter
quarter
quarter
Total annually
market
-
4
2
2
3
885
320
218
495
325
100
100
150
-
-
-
1918
675
-
-
--
-
-
0
11
measured
aged
research
ship
racial
investigations
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- 24 Uorway
(Oe M. Smedstad)
Sub-areas I and II
The major roundfish species were samp1ed on the same scale as in 1973.
Stock assessment programmes of Arcto-Uorwegian cod and haddock, saithe
and Greenland ha1ibut have continued.
The distribution of Arcto-Norwegian cod was charted three times in
February-March during the spawning season in Lofoten. In March mature
cod was tagged in the same area.
The distribution and abundance of young cod and haddock was studied during
April-May in the southern Barents Sea. In August, investigations on
cod were carried out in the areaBear Island - Spitsbergen. The annual
InternationliO-Group Survey was carried out in August-September in the
Barents Sea and adjacent waters.
(
Young saithe were tagged in May-June and in the southern part of Division IIa.4'
Cod, haddock and saithe were tagged in August in the coastal waters of Uorthern
Norway.
Investigations on post larvae of saithe were carried out in May in the
southern part of Division IIa. In September the abundance of O-group
saithe was studied in the littoral zone at se1ected localities along
the Uorwegian coast o
Sub-area IV
Landings of Recommendation 4 species from Division IVa and the southern
part of Division IIa were sampled throughout the year to determine the
age composition of these species in the landings and to estimate the
landings of each species.
The distribution and abundance of the major Recommendation 4 species were
studied on cruises in January-February and in October-Uovember.
Spawning grounds of saithe ware charted in Februaryo
were tagged in May-June along the coast of Uorwayo
Young saithe
- 25 -
_._-
Norwegian sampling in the areas where industrial
-- -- - _.- trawl- ..fisheries
_.- -- --- -----take
- _.__ .. --nlace
~
Harket
Research Vessel
Species
Area
,
Seaso:J.
.
Cod
IV a
IVb
1
4
4
No. of
SampIes
..
No. of Fish
Aged
Neasured
.
20
31
40
165
2
-
-
-
Tagged
No. of Fish
No. of
Sa.'TIples
Aged
Neasured
-
--
,
1 676
2 451
90
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
7
6
1
15
18
13
26
-
30
39
Haddock
&
2
3
4
1
IVb
3
4
4
Ila
-
14
-
-
-
-
2
26
1
-
-
-
335
-
-455
-
8
-
Saithe
IVa
IVA
t
-
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
-
-
-
~
11
13
4
4
259
640
-
-
-
-
-
1
9
14
1
17·
-
-
-
100
336
328
-269
-
16
1
-
-
8
6
125
. 156
623
2 483
-
-
1
I 230
I -
20,1
-
735
-
2,10
-
-v'57
-
I
42
13
23
-
-
-
-
-
-
100
450
958
50
1 558
4 313
286
1 843
-
I
-
1
1
17
2
-
-
3
IVb
I
-
Horway Pout
11a
IVa
233
-
ilhiting
IVb
-
10
24
1
4
4
lVa
-
.
Blue vlhi tinc.
lIa
.
-
.I -
6·~
I -
?
-
-
A
T
33
625
4 409
-
4
2
73
169
-
1
2
1
-
104
-
5
22
-
51?
1 655
31
-
3 131
1 814
'3 4~)8
3
-
-
274
45
17
Silver Pout
IVa
.,
-
-- ---
4
-
-
156
-
-
-
-
--
- 26 Norwegian sampling in the areas where industrial trawl fisheries take place
-
Hesearch Vessel
Species
Area
Season
No. of
Sa.'l1ples
Market
No. of Fish
Aged
Measured
Tagged
No. of
SampIes
Aged
3
-
.
No. of Fish
Measured
Silver Smelt
IIa
1
2
3
4
IVa
-
-
-
-
-
-
2·10
-
-
-
-
-
4
-62
254
-
9
9
1
17
30
, 13
23
-
-
-
-
3
1
2
3
7
4
2
-
-
-
-
315
450
453
50
68_
94
191
672
-
315
-
-
Sandeel
IVa
- 27 Norwegian Samp1ing Data 1974
-
Research Vessel
Species
Area
Season
-Cod
I
-
IIa
IIb
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
3
4
No. of
Samples
16
11
8
50
8
7
-
-
Ivlacket
No. of Fisn
No. of
Samples
Aged
Measured
Tagged
563
596
405
2 346
4 032
191
778
1 239
3 733
602
390
9 343
687
-
-
-
4 000
-
No. of Fish
Agcd
13
51
10
13
150
21
3
600
1 907
351
800
3 106
349
198
Eeasured
1
13
2
3
9
2
949
846
557
219
824
758
397
-
-
-
998
21
-
-
-
10
12
587
60;:_
1 820
2 "557
335
133
278
-
3
26
14
16
3
10e
c::
26~
6 584
-
-
-
-
Haddock
I
1
')
(-
IIa
3
4
1
2
3
3
5
3
8
-
283
252
153
-
-
593
-
10
12
707
686
2 857
2 171
-
-
-
165
4
2
-
-
1
2
3
4
1
2
1
32
4
3
3
4
4
1
968
400
158
250
322
400
120
1 972
427
-
I
2
IIa
2
13
18
300
383
800
4 475
-
110
4
~
I
IIa
IVa
Vb
2
3
-
-
-
291
17E
3
-
4
4
-
12
18
6
18
13
18
13
428
680
380
1 211
1 05S
1 10C
91C
-
-
89C
137
275
1 000
13
6<JC
20C
220
173
-
-
-
7
1
-
2 422
1 000
2 500
-
2 395
-
2 710
3 668
386
1 149
577
620
345
1
5
1
4
3
6
4
926
896
457
045
777
439
015
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
r),..,
:JLL
-
Greenland
Ha1ibut
- 28 -
Poland
See Addendum No. 1.
Portugal
(M. 1. Dias)
No research has been carried out in the area covered by the Committee.
Spain
(O.Cendrero)
Aucun travailn1a
ete
fait pendant 1974.
Sweden
(G. Otterlind)
No sampling or other activity to be reported has been performed outside
the Baltic (cf. Baltic Fish Committee).
United Kingdom
10 England and Wales
(A.C. Burd)
1. Region I
Surveys of O-group fish were made by RV "Cirolana" at Faroe in July and in the
Barents Sea in August-September. A cruise in May-June continued the studies on
the genetic composition of the Iceland-Greenland cod stocks.
2. Region II
As part of the international programmes, surveys of O-group gadoids and I-groUp~
gadoids in the North Sea were made in May-June and February respectively.
Expansion of research into the inshore fisheries continued with increased market
samnling all round the coastline. In addition, there'were 8 inshore research
cruises and several commercial charters, on which tagging, sampling and plankton
surveys were made, covering the North Sea, English Channel and IrishlSea.
The exploratory work on deepwater species to the West of Britain was continued
with two cruises of RV lt Cirolana" in January and June.
~lease
of Tagged Fish 1974 - leES Refltns
- 30 SAMPLING DATA FOR SKATES AND RAYS
Area
Number of Samples
Season
Research
Vessels
Harket
Samples
Number of Flsh
Measured
Spread throughout
the year
22
1898
VlIA
11
VIIF
11
VIIG
11
75
19
2
11625
3273
303
VIA
Aged
323
85
.SAMPLING DATA FOR HAKE
Area
Number of SampIes
Number of Flsh
Research
Vessels
Harket
Samples
Measured
Spread throughout
the year
11
1896
VIA
11
VlIA
11
VIIF
11
35
57
9
7293 .
9976
2641
IV
Season
Aged
47
SAMPLING DATA FOR TURBOT
Area
IV
Season
Number cf Samples
Number cf Flsh
Research
Vessels
Harket
Samples
Measured
112
6236
Spread throughout
the year
Aged
SAMPLING DATA FOR LEMON SOLE
Area
IV
VlIE
Season
Number of Samples
Number of Flsh
Research
Vessels
Measured
Market
Sa,mples
Spread throughout
the year
11
Aged
259
27
3361
84
.-
- ,31 -
S.A1>1PLING DATA FOR SPURDOGS
Area
Number of Samp1es
Season
Research
Vesse1s
VJ3
Spread throughout
the year
VIA
"
"
"
IV
VlIA
Harket
Samp1es
Number of Fish
Measured
1
67
48
121
4387
9757
288
3
Aged
98
454
SAHPLING DATA POR SOLE
Area
Season
VIA
Spread throughout
the year
rv
"
"
"
"
"
VlIA
VIIF
VIIG
VlIE·
Vlln
Number of SampIes
Number of Fish
Research
Vessels
Neasured
Harket
Samp1es
2
592
153
48
4
2
42
19274
10726
1271
484
6296
"
Aged
861
344
162
101
22
SAHPLING DATA FüR WHITING
Area
VIA
IV
. VlIA
Season
Spread throughout
the year
11
"
Number of Samp1es
Number of Fish
Research
Vessels
Measured
Market
SampIes
Aged
1
106
221
107
13
22220
1131
11399
1357
96
5488
934
301
25
415
VIIF
"
VIIa
VIIE
11
1
"
37
- 32 SAl-IPLING DATA FOR COALFISH
Area
I-IIA-IID
Seasen
Number ef SampIes
Number ef Fish
Research
V.ssels
Harket
SampIes
Measured
Aged
Spread threugheut
the year
85
6773
818
"
"
82
5972
3549
7147
6196
130
907
433
509
VA
VJ3
VIA
11
IV
11
VlIA
11
SANPLING DATA FüR
Area
34
68
54
1
479
con
Seasen
Number ef Samples
Number ef Fish
Research
Vessels
Harket
Samples
Measured
Aged
Spread threugheut
the year
311
76480
2885
VA
11
VB
11
399
128
V1A
1V
V11A
V11B
V11F
V11G
11
51
464
115
85549
19306
8406
78958
19197
3016
1045
654
3264
1877
6
599
86
I-IIA-IID
11
tI
11
"
"
SAMPJJING DATA FüR HADDOCK
Area
I-IIA-IID
VA
VB
Number ef Samples
Number ef Fiah
Research
Vessels
Market
Samples
Measured
Aged
Spread threugheut
the year
253
48539
1256
tI
232
92
33
190
38
1
40127
18395
6019
31717
4209
187
1024
76
1163
86
608
Seasen
11
VIA
n
IV
tI
VIIA
VIID
VIIF
VIIG
"
"
tI
11
13
1
491
21
- 33 2. Scotland
(R. Jones)
Scottish research vessels undertook routine trawling surveys in the North
Sea in February/March, April/May and December. A survey was also undertaken
on the Scottish west coast in December. O-group gadoids were sampled
pelagically in the North Sea in June/July. .The results of these cruises
were used to obtain pre-recruit estimates of the year class strengths of
haddock, whiting and Norway pout and also to 'determine the length and
age compositionsof the major. demersal fish stocks.
The major roundfish and flatfish species were sampled at the principle
Scottish trawl and seine net ports as in previous years. Samples were
taken for age determination and these 'data form the basis for material
supplied to Annales Biologiques and to the lCES Statistical News Letters.
They have also been used to provide forecasts for the major Scottish
fisheries and to make assessments at lCES Working Groups.
Further Norway pout fecundity material was collected to determine
the relationship between fecundity and size and to investigate variation
in these parameters with density and between areas.
Landings of Norway pout and sandeels for industrial purposes were sampled
throughout the year to determine the age composition of these species
·in the landings and also to" monitor the bycatch.
Tagging of the major round- and flat- species has been continued with
particular emphasis on tagging in offshore North Sea waters.
Observations have continued on the behaviour of fish in west coast sea
lochs using both conventional and acoustic tagging techniques together
with low-light-level television. These studies have shown that shallower
parts of the loch contain large numbers of juvenile fish,with individual
animals occupying a relatively restricted home range. Fish displaced from
their home range return to it almost immediately.
Further experiments have been performed to investigate tho precision of
directional hearing in cod.
Aquarium studies have continued on the efficiency of food convorsion
in gadoids and studios have been continued on the feeding behaviour
of these species.
A biological tag study using the larval cestode Grillotia has
the existence of soveral different "stocks" of haddock in the
and to the north and west of Scotland. lt has also supported
of previous studies in suggesting that there are two separate
of haddock round the Faroe lslands.
The numbers of fish measured and aged in
table.
indicated
North Sea
tho results
stocks
1974 are show in the following
Numbers of fish measured and aged in 1974
I
Cod
Haddock
Whiting
Area
Saithe
T esmarkii
Hake
Sandeel
:
Lemon Sole
Megrim
I
Meas. Aged
North Sea
(1)
(2)
Meas.
Meas.. Aged
J\.ged
Meas. Aged Neas Aged Meas. IAged Meas, Aged Meas. Aged Meas. Aged Meas. Aged
6760 805 2931
45299 13993 137439 17197 98196 17131 16056 6899 2390 350 154235 3961 69430 4294 1582 217 253 100 11215 330 2700
West Coast
Faroe
Plaice
(1)
(2)
9426 4172 35570 7820 39482 6959 11240 2814 3364 902 1597 406 430 261 19880 503 13500 822 478 290 628 273 3546 288 -
(1)
(2)
7180
-
-
-
Iceland
-
-
-
-
-
39181 1448'
-
-
1834
-
3809 1696
2253
-
-
vihite Sea
(1)
(2)
-
-
-
(1)
Market Sampling Data
(2)
Research Vessel Data
-
64'
I
,
I
1
I
-
-
I
-
61
!
331
-
I
i
-I
i
I
!
-
-
-
5806 2192 20280 2354
-
-
-
-, -
-
-
-
-
-
28, -
-
-
-
- -
-
-
-
I
I
I
I
I
- i -
=
I
-
8815 2047 5474 822
122
505
-
;
(1)
(2)
-
-
- -
- -
-
-
-
21769 4628 5487 1761 5273 2510
335 42706 8306 39330 5508 12480 3090
48
374
532 77
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
42
-
-
- 35 U.S.A.
(B. Brown)
No research or fishing has been carried out in the ICES area. Research
and fishing data from the ICNAF area have been reported to ICNAF.
U.S.S.R.
(D.Bogdanov)
Atlantic Research Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography
In 1974 investigations of changes in abundance and condition of the North Sea
cod stocks were continued. In spring and fall 1974 trawl surveys with the purpose of assessing the abundance of different codyear classes, their distribution and age composition were conducted. In July and August 1974 a trawl
survey for assessing O-group ?od was conducted.
The collection and processing ofbiological data from the North Sea haddock,
whiting, saithe, cod, blue whiting and Norway pout were continued. Ecological surveys with the view of studying environmental factors which influenced
the abundance of haddock stocks were carried out.
The following biological material of commercial species in the North Sea
was collected and processed in 1974:
Species
Haddock
Saithe
Hhiting
Cnd
Blue Whjting
Uorway Fcut
Mass measurements
(specimens)
447 992
23 063
91 881
462
2 800
30 000
~edetermination
(specimens)
3 518
3 675
2 373
462
1 100
1 000
Biological
: analyses
(specimens)
115 001
3 000
11 500
-
2 000
800
Tagging
(external
hydrostatic
tM.'s)
524
-
168
-
In 1975 investigations will be conducted according to the saoe programme.
Polar Research Institute ofMarine Fisheries and Oceanography
The work in the Barents Sea~ Norwegian Sea, Greenland Sea and the llorth Sea
continued as in previous years. Data were collected to characterise the
abundance, age-lcngth composition and distribution of cod, haddock, polar cod,
redfish, Greenland halibut and other bottom fishes in the ICES zone. SampIes
were collected only by research vessels. No racial investigations were
performed.
·Besides, work towards refining the assessment of the stock state of oain
commercial fishes werecontinued, the survival conditions of young fishes at
different stages of developmentwere studied; ichthyoplankton was gathered
andanalysed; . fisheries forecasts·were compiled; the forecasting technique
was improved.
- 36 -
SAMPLING DATA
Area
Spccies
Scason
No. of Fish
No. of
SampIes
R/V
Measured
Aged
1
2
3
4
17
13
24
17
165
68
70
89
224
712
514
223
3
1
3
3
1
2
3
4
7
5
2
7
28
12
92
45
449
596
331
200
1 865
1 106
600
1 710
1
2
4
-
2
213
140
1 328
-
Va
2
-
84
-
XIV
2
-
153
-
Vb
1
1
137
100
IV
1
4
-
4
25
574
-
I
1
2
3
4
1
23
8
5
15 422
14 252
6 122
7 627
300
2 447
808
1 300
IIb
1
2
3
4
1
3
1
1 831
823
728
1 219
82
407
298
IIa
1
2
4
1
-
302
1
1 147
181
1 823
1
4
-
-
142
8
-
XIV
2
-
7
-
Vb
1
-
165
-
-Cod
I
.
504
918
631
130
"
lIb
IIa
Haddock
IV
192
295
-
290
-
- 31 -
SAMPLING DATA
Area
Species
Season
No. of Fish
No. of
SampIes
R/V
Measured
Aged
Saithe
1
2
3
4
I
IIb
1
2
4
IIa
1
2
3
4
,
-
64
10
299
9
-
8
142
5
-
3
--
3
4 264
352
890
3 151
IV
1
4
-
260
156
Vb
1
-
40
1
'2
3
4
20
1
2
3
4
7
6
1
-
-
-
630
-
603
225
-
Redfish
I
IIb
IIa
1
2
3
4
Va
2
IV
4
-
-2
3
14
-
-
'
23 885
2 539
836
23 818
13
61
5
32
663
232
616
237
-
1 000
-
-
530
2 062
720
1 375
-
2 041
-
64
-
-
- 38 -
SAMPLING DATA
Area
Species
Season
No. of
SampIes
R/V
"
No. of Fish
Measured
Aged
Greenland
halibut
-
1
2
3
4
-
334
100
3
1 776
1
4
2
5
2 666
18 091
IIa
1
4
-
-
1
20
Va
2
3
2
-
5 994
50
-
IV
4
-
4
-
3
1 629
154
145
26
I
IIb
-
608
1 204
500
American
plaice
1
635
-
I
2
3
4
-
IIb
1
2
4
-
874
551
79
-
IIa
4
2
505
125
IV
-
-
2
VI-VII
1
1
107
1
202
-
100
ADDENDUM No. 1
C.l1.1975/F:l
Administrative Report
DEMERSAL FISH (NORTHERN) CO}mITTEE
1974
,
Poland
(J. Janusz)
During 1974 the following material on demersal fish was eolleeted on
board researeh/seouting vessels or on board eommereial trawlers.
No. of Fish
Vesse1
"Wiezno"
Research
Vesse1
Area
IVa, IVb, Vb
VIa, VIIb,e
VIIg,h,i,k
VIII, VIId,e
IVe
Seascn
Hay Ju1y
Speeies
Cod
750
Coa1fish 5 842
Haddoek 14 430
Whiting
1 809
Blue
737
Whiting
Pieked
1 544
Dogfish
____
____
Hake
------------- -------------- f--------- ---------"Auriga"
Commereia1
stern trawler I,IIb,IIa
(freezing/
f-_f~~~!?El2____
"Wa1pusza"
Seouting
trawler
... ------------"Walpusza"
and
"Kwisa"
Seouting
trawlers
SeptOetober
ana1ysed:K;
measured
300
1 300
2 390
500
100
-
~1
Cod
2 731
Haddoek
734
Halibut
6 852
---------Coalfish 2 763
Haddoek
8 917
Cod
372
Pieked
1 000
Dogfish
---------Whiting
3 538
Norway
5 786
Pout
Coalfish 10 860
Haddoek
9 037
~----------_._-.
1 014
153
1 200
300
600
100
-------------- ---------- ... ----------
--------------
------------- --------- -----------
-------------
Jan,Feb,
lIla, IVa,
IIa, Vb, IVb, Har, Apr,
Hay,Jun,
VIa, Vlb
Jul,Oet,
Nov,Dee •
... IIIa,IVa,IVb, ... Jan,Feb,
Vla,IIa,Vlb, Har,Apr,
Vb
Hay,Jun,
JUl,Aug,
Oet,Nov,
Dee.
1 500
1 180
1 700
*)Determination of sex and maturity.
Co11ection of oto1iths or sea1es (in Greenland halibut only)o
. .--4