© 2006 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
North Sea cod recovery?
The Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, England, UK
*Correspondence to J. Horwood: tel: +44 1502 524248; fax: +44 1502 524515. e-mail: j.w.horwood{at}cefas.co.uk.
Recovery of depleted marine, demersal, commercial fish stocks has proved elusive worldwide. As yet, just a few shared or highly migratory stocks have been restored. Here we review the current status of the depleted North Sea cod (Gadus morhua), the scientific advice to managers, and the recovery measures in place. Monitoring the progress of North Sea cod recovery is now hampered by considerable uncertainties in stock assessments associated with low stock size, variable survey indices, and inaccurate catch data. In addition, questions arise as to whether recovery targets are achievable in a changing natural environment. We show that current targets are achievable with fishing mortality rates that are compatible with international agreements even if recruitment levels remain at the current low levels. Furthermore, recent collations of data on international fishing effort have allowed estimation of the cuts in fishing mortality achieved by restrictions on North Sea effort. By the beginning of 2005, these restrictions are estimated to have reduced fishing mortality rates by about 37%. This is insufficient to ensure recovery of North Sea cod within the next decade.
Keywords: fisheries management, fishing effort, recovery plans
Received 16 March 2006; accepted 4 May 2006.
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