The ICES Planning Group for Surveys on Pelagic Fish in the Norwegian Sea (NE-Atlantic) (PGSPFN) met in Reykjavik 15-17 August 2001 to analyse the results of the 2001 hydroacoustic surveys in the NE-Atlantic. Since the recovery of the Atlanto-Scandian herring stock in the NE-Atlantic in the mid 90ies, hydroacoustic surveys are carried out annually to assess the size of the spawning and juvenile stock, and to investigate the migration pattern of the herring in the NE-Atlantic. About 10-11 individual cruises are performed each year in succession throughout the spring and summer. Participating nations are Norway, Russia, Iceland, The Faroese Islands and the European Community.

During the summer 2001, and after spawning, the herring migrate from the coast into the open sea. In 2001 the herring swam in north-westerly direction, instead of turning south, as they did in the late 90ies. During summer they have been migrating exceptionally far north, have been passing the Bear Island and reached even the southern part of the Spitsbergen area. While in summer 2000 the herring found very rich zooplankton feeding grounds west of Bear Island and south of Spitzbergen, the zooplankton biomass was considerably lower in 2001 (on average 27%) and the condition of herring was less good consequently. Due to the extended migration to the very far north the fish continued feeding longer and it is expected that they form schools for the return migration to the overwintering grounds only 2-3 weeks later than usual.

Based on the results of the hydroacoustic surveys the working group estimated the spawning stock biomass to have declined to about 4-4.5 mill. t. Such a decline was expected and is a result of a succession of relatively weak year classes throughout the past couple of years.

The results of this planning group will be further analysed and used for the assessments of the respective fish stocks by the ICES Northern Pelagic and Blue Whiting Working Goup in April 2002.

entered by (Date)
Cornelius Hammer (22-08-01)