Assessment of the North-East Arctic and North Sea Stocks of Saithe Taking Into Account Migration

Abstract

Tagging experiments have shown that there is a substantial migration of young saithe from the Norwegian coast north of 62°N to the North Sea. Assessments of the North-East Arctic and North Sea Stocks of saithe were made assuming that all 1-4 year old saithe caught between 62° and 64°N would have recruited to the North Sea stock. The new assessments give a decrease in the level of recruitment to the North-East Arctic stock and an increase to the North Sea stock. he exploitation of the NorthEast Arctic stock is close to F max , whereas the North Sea stock is subject to considerable growth overfishing. Reduction in the exploitation of young saithe between 62° and 64°N will benefit chiefly the North Sea stock.