Zonal distribution of the stock of blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) in the North-East Atlantic in 2010–2020

Abstract

In the management of the blue whiting fishery, the problem of exceeding the scientifically justified catch remains due to the lack of an agreement on national shares between Coastal States. In order to obtain additional data necessary to reach an agreement, a NEAFC Working Group was established by the Coastal States to form a report on the zonal distribution of the reserve. Until March 2022, a Russian specialist took part in the work of the group. The article analyzes the main results of the distribution of both international catches of blue whiting and biomass of the stock in accordance with the data of the international survey, according to the NEA economic, fishing zones and international waters for the period 2010–2020 was conducted. It was found out that during this period the largest part of the blue whiting of the stock was distributed in the fishing zone of the Faroe Islands, exclusive economic zones of the EU, Great Britain and economic zone of the Norway. The economic zones of Ireland (EU) and Great Britain were the main «holders» of the spawning stock with the most active fishing in the spring, while the Faroese fishing zone is the most significant zone through which the main migrations of a significant part of the stock pass throughout the year. The waters of the Norwegian economic zone were the main habitat of immature juveniles and feeding fish, to a somewhat lesser extent this applied to the waters of the Iceland economic zone. The results of this work can be used as a basis for dividing the total available catch of the blue whiting into national shares and can accelerate the achievement of an agreement between the Coastal States.