Report of the Norwegian surveys on blue whiting during spring 1986

Abstract

During the period 12 March-19 April 1986 the blue whiting stock was surveyed by two research vessels in the shelf area from west of Ireland to Lofoten in northern Norway. Maturing blue whiting was still migrating southwards to the shelf edge area west of the British Isle and the survey covered only part of the spawning stock. A total of 2.6 mill. tonnes blue whiting were measured, of which 2.1 mill. tonnes were mature. Particularly in the main spawning area west of the British Isles the stock was dominated by the strong 1982- and 1983-year classes. In the Norwegian waters these year classes were strongly supported by the 1985-year class.