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| Marine Resource Fact Sheet |
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| | Cod - Barents and Norwegian Seas, 2006 |
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| | Owned by | International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES)
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| Related observations | Locate in inventory | | | | Species: | Gadus morhua |  | | Fao Names : en - Atlantic cod, fr - Morue de l'Atlantique, es - Bacalao del Atlántico |
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| | Distribution of Cod - Barents and Norwegian Seas | |  Map legend
Area Details 
FAO Fishing Statistical Division Areas27.2.a: Atlantic, Northeast / 27.2.a FAO Fishing Statistical Sub Areas27.1: Atlantic, Northeast / 27.1 More Geo References | |
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| Main Descriptors | Considered a single stock: Yes
Spatial Scale: Sub-Regional
Considered a management unit: Yes |
| Considered a single stock: A group of individuals in a species occupying a well defined spatial range independent of other stocks of the same species. It can be affected by random dispersal movements and directed migrations due to seasonal or reproductive activity. |
| Spatial Scale: Spatial scale contains a standard term such as Global, Regional (e.g. for the whole Atlantic), sub-regional (e.g. for a part of the Atlantic), national, local (for sub-national levels). |
| Considered a management unit: An aquatic resource or fishery is
declared as [Fishery] Management Unit if it is
effectively the focus for the application of selected
management methods and measures, within the broader
framework of a management system. According to the FAO
Glossary for Responsible Fishing, "a Fishery Management
Unit (FMU) is a fishery or a portion of a fishery
identified in a Fishery Management Plan (FMP) relevant
to the FMP's management objectives." FMU's may be
organised around fisheries biological, geographic,
economic, technical, social or ecological dimensions ,
and the makeup and attribute of a fishery management
unit depends mainly on the FMP's management
objectives. |
| Jurisdictional distribution: Jurisdictional qualifier (e.g.
"shared", "shared - highly migratory") of the aquatic
resource related with its spatial distribution. |
| Environmental group: Classification of the aquatic
resource according to the environmental group (e.g.
pelagic invertebrate, or demersal fish) to which the
species belong. |
| | | | | | Habitat and Biology Depth zone: Coastal Vertical distribution: Demersal/benthic Geographical Distribution Jurisdictional distribution: National Water Area Overview Spatial Scale: Sub-Regional Geo References | | Distribution of Cod - Barents and Norwegian Seas
| FAO Fishing Statistical Division Areas | 27.2.a: Atlantic, Northeast / 27.2.a | | FAO Fishing Statistical Sub Areas | 27.1: Atlantic, Northeast / 27.1 |
| | | | | | Intersecting Major FAO areas and LME areas |
The following area codes have been found as intersecting the distribution of Cod - Barents and Norwegian Seas | FAO major areas | 27:
Atlantic, Northeast | | (LME) Large Marine Ecosystem Areas | 20: Barents Sea | | 21: Norwegian Shelf | | 22: North Sea | | 58 | | 60 |
Resource Structure Considered a single stock: Yes Exploitation Factors affecting the fisheries and the stockRegulations and their effectsIn addition to quotas, the fishery is regulated by the same minimum catch size, minimum mesh size on the fishing gears as for the Northeast Arctic cod, maximum bycatch of undersized fish, closure of areas having high densities of juveniles, and by seasonal and area restrictions. The quota for Norwegian coastal cod was reduced from 40 000 t in 2003 to 20 000 t in 2004. The quota in 2005 to 2007 was 21 000 t. In 2004 and 2005, measures were taken to further reduce fishing on this stock, but there is no formal recovery plan though it is quite clear that the new regulations did not decrease the catches to any great extent and further action needs to be taken. In the new regulations, several fjords are closed for direct cod fishing with vessels larger than 15 meters. These regulations are supposed to reduce the exploitation on cod in the fjords and to displace fishing to cod outside the fjords where the proportion of Northeast Arctic cod is higher and that of coastal cod lower. These regulations do not apply to the gillnet fishing fleet (< 15 m) that probably takes the highest catch of coastal cod. No additional substantive conservation measures have been implemented in 2006 or 2007. The 2006 landings were estimated to be 26 000 t, i.e. above the 2006 TAC of 21 000 t. Assessment Assessment Model Assessment Model Entry Data Scientific basisData and methodsThe assessment is only used to give broad trends and this is based on catch-at-age data and on an acoustic survey. The assessment is considered indicative of stock trends and may not reflect absolute stock sizes. This does not invalidate the overall conclusion. Uncertainties in assessment and forecastThe landings of coastal cod are severely underestimated. Both tourist and recreational fishing activity are landing a considerable amount of coastal cod. These landings are not reported and not included in the official statistics. Although it certainly has been unreported for a long period, there are no available data for years other than 2003 (where it was estimated to be in the range of 30% of the commercial catch). It is also unknown whether the amount of unreported catch fluctuates with the stock size or with other factors. ICES encourages the creation of a times-series of recreational catches to be included in the catch data. The catches and survey indices are estimated by distinguishing between coastal cod and Northeast Arctic cod through inspection of the otoliths. The precision and accuracy of the method has been investigated by comparison of different otolith readers and results from genetic investigation. Preliminary results indicate an accuracy of more than 95%. Overall Assessment Results Exploitation boundaries in relation to high long-term yield, low risk of depletion of production potential and considering ecosystem effectsThe current estimated fishing mortality is high although uncertain, and is considerably higher than a fishing mortality that would lead to high long-term yields (F 0.1 = 0.22). Comparison with previous assessment and adviceNo full assessment has been performed at present for this stock due to uncertainties in the catch data. The advice is consistent with that given in 2006. Reference Point Precautionary references points have not been established for this stock. Scientific Advice Single-stock exploitation boundariesExploitation boundaries in relation to precautionary considerationsGiven the current level of SSB and recruitment for this stock, no catch should be taken from this stock in 2008 and a recovery plan should be developed and implemented as a prerequisite to reopening the fishery. Management considerationsThe SSB and recruitment are at historical low levels. Continued fishing is expected to lead to a further decrease in the SSB. The recovery plan should include monitoring the trajectory of the stock, clearly stating specified reopening criteria, and monitoring the fishery when it is reopened. Norwegian coastal cod is managed as part of the Norwegian Northeast Arctic cod fishery. An expected yield of 40 000 t from the coastal cod was been added annually from the mid-1970s to 2003 to the quota for Northeast Arctic cod. In 2004 and later years the additional catch expected from this stock has been set near 20 000 t. In order to avoid any catch of the Norwegian coastal cod stock, strong restrictions should apply to all fisheries catching cod where it mixes with Northeast Arctic cod. The landings of coastal cod are severely underestimated as a result of the recreational fishery. The quota system is not restricting the overall catches and this may be as a result of the TAC not operating as a true quota. Management Considered a management unit: Yes Management Objectives No management objectives have been specified. Biological State and Trend Exploitation rate: Undefined
Abundance level: Undefined In the absence of defined precautionary reference points the state of the stock cannot be fully evaluated. However, there is clear evidence that the stock is harvested unsustainably and SSB is below any candidate for B lim. The SSB is close to the lowest observed level. The assessment is uncertain and is only indicative of trends. Recruitment in recent years has decreased rapidly to the lowest levels ever observed. Recruitment is clearly impaired at present SSB. Fishing mortality reference points are not defined, but the present fishing mortality is far too high. Source of information ICES. 2007. Report of the Arctic Fisheries Working Group, 18–27 April 2007. ICES CM 2007/ACFM:16. Catch and TACs SourceWeights in ‘000 t. 140 000 tonnes has until 2003 been added annually to the agreed TAC of Northeast Arctic cod; 20 000 t were added in 2004 and 21 000 t in 2005 and 2006. 2 Estimated according to otolith type. 3 No official landings. Graphs  | | Source |
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Figure 3.4.2.1 Norwegian Coastal cod. Landings. Fishing mortality. Recruitment. Spawning stock biomass.Figure 3.4.2.2 Harvest rates expressed as catch relative to survey biomass for age 4 and older, compared to fishing mortality from the updated XSA.  | | Image |
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Figure 3.4.2.3 Biomass indicators from survey and XSA.Landing table Table 3.4.2.1 Norwegian coastal cod. Estimated landings in tonnes by year. Source
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1984
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74824
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1985
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75451
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1986
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68905
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1987
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60972
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1988
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59294
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1989
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40285
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1990
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28127
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1991
|
24822
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1992
|
41690
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1993
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52557
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1994
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54562
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1995
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57207
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1996
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61776
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1997
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63319
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1998
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51572
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1999
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40732
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2000
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36715
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2001
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29699
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2002
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40994
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2003
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34635
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2004
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24547
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2005
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22432
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2006
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26134
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ICES  . |
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