The results of the international 0-group gadoid survey in the North Sea 1979 and of an 0-group Gadoid survey to the west of Scotland.

Abstract

The survey was carried out in the period 13 June to 5 July by 4 vessels, CORELLA (England), EXPLORER (Scotland), JOHAN HJORT (Norway) and TRIDENS (The Netherlands). The gear used, the design of the experiment and the method of fishing were all as described for the 1976 survey by Daan et al (1976). In addition, a survey was made to the west of Scotland by the R.V. CLUPEA in a preliminary attempt to delineate the western distribution of 0-group gadoids because the results of previous international North Sea surveys had shown that the distribution of 0-group gadoids does not stop at 5 W, the present western limit of the international survey. In particular, the distribution of 0-group haddock in 1978 suggested that these might be moving from west of Scotland into the North Sea. (Benjaminsen et al, 1978). The survey by the CLUPEA was carried out in the standard manner from 5-14 June. The results from this survey and the international survey are presented separately but are considered together in the general discussion. All by-catch data for herring, sprat and sandeel are given in tables VI - XVIII.