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On 30th March 2022, all Russian participation in ICES was suspended. Although the announcement of the suspension stressed the role of ICES as a “multilateral science organization”, this suspension applied not only to research activities but also to the ICES work providing fisheries advice for the sustainable management of fish stocks and ecosystems. As a result of the suspension, it is not possible to run ICES stock assessments or provide ICES advice for the Barents Sea stocks of NEA cod, NEA haddock, Sebastes mentella or Greenland Halibut, as management and data collection for these stocks are shared between Norway and Russia. There are therefore no AFWG stock assessments for these stocks this year. This is especially unfortunate as NEA cod is currently declining, and updated assessments are required to ensure an appropriate management response. It is to be hoped that the political decision to exclude Russia from the ICES advice process which underlies our sustainable fisheries management does not lead to mismanagement of the shared stocks and the consequent ecological harm.

Annual catch quotas and other regulations of the Barents Sea fisheries are set through negotiations between Norway and Russia. Assessment of the state of the stocks and quota advice are based on survey results and international landings statistics. The results from the demersal fish winter surveys in the Barents Sea are an important source of information for the annual stock assessment. Fish investigations in the Barents Sea Winter 2022

This report presents the main results from the surveys in January-March 2021. The surveys were performed with the Norwegian research vessels “Helmer Hanssen”, “Kronprins Haakon” and “Johan Hjort”, and the Russian research vessel “Vilnyus”. Annual survey reports since 1981 are listed in Appendix 4, and names of scientific participants in 2021 are given in Appendix 3.

ICOD-prosjektet ble etablert for å undersøke mulige interaksjoner mellom oppdrettsanlegg og nærliggende gyteområder for kysttorsk. Rapporten presenterer resultater fra ICOD som omfatter egg- og yngelundersøkelser foretatt i forbindelse med etablering av et oppdrettsanlegg for laks på lokaliteten Nørholmen på Smøla. Også resultater fra biokjemiske undersøkelser av fettsyrer i torsk fanget gjennom gytesesongen på utvalgte gyteområder ved Smøla presenteres. I tillegg til gyteområdene på Smøla omfattet egg- og yngelundersøkelsene tre referanseområder i Aure kommune uten umiddelbar nærhet til oppdrettsanlegg.

In connection with the benchmark processes within ICES on Norwegian Coastal Cod north of 62°N during autumn 2020-spring 2021, new abundance index series based on bottom trawl stations and acoustics at the autumn coastal survey were made. The acoustic index covers the period 1995-2019 while the trawl index covers the period 2003-2019. This report describes the methods used and briefly presents the results.

More than 20% of the European fishing fleets catches are taken from non-European waters. Access to these waters is often based on agreements with coastal states that allow the EU fleet to fish from surplus stocks in return for financial support. These agreements have been subjected to criticism, as these fisheries are sometimes poorly regulated and management decisions are often based on limited knowledge, compliance, and enforcement capabilities. It is also too often the case that trust between stakeholders is lacking. The aim of the FarFish project is to overcome these hurdles. The FarFish project is designed around six case study areas in which the European fleet is actively engaged in fishing activities, including Cape Verde, Mauritania, Senegal and Seychelles, as well as the international high-seas areas in the southeast and southwest Atlantic. Among the Research & Innovation outputs of the FarFish project is a development of a management approach where the management authorities and the resource users come to an agreement on some key objectives and how to meet them. This approach is designed to reduce micromanagement by involving stakeholders and increase the degree of co-management by delegating management responsibilities to resource users. The process is broken into a number of steps, which include a) the provision of guidelines on how to develop so called management recommendations (MRs), b) provision of an invitation from the authorities to the resource users to develop MRs, where overall objectives are established, c) development of MRs, d) third party audit of the MR, where the success of the MR is evaluated. Draft guidelines and MR invitations have been published, and this report compiles the first proposals for MRs for each of the FarFish case studies. These will then be audited by an independent auditor and the whole process will then be re-iterated. The aim is that by the end of the project, we will have a tested / validated approach for how to manage fisheries in cocreation between authorities and resource users.

Porsanger- og Tanafjorden har siden tidlig på 1970-tallet vært stengt for reketråling, men vurderes nå åpnet igjen. I den anledning ba Fiskeridirektoratet Havforskningsinstituttet utarbeide en plan for kartlegging av økosystemet i de to utrålte fjordene. Kvænangen ble valgt ut som en referansefjord med et aktivt reketrålfiske. Kartleggingstokt ble gjennomført i 2018-2019, tre med reketrål, og to med reketeiner. Bomtrålundersøkelser ble gjennomført i Porsangerfjorden i mai 2019, som en fortsettelse av en tidsserie fra 2007. Den indre delen av Porsangerfjorden innenfor og øst for Reinøya har spesielle miljøforhold med svært lav bunntemperatur og svært stor tetthet av dypvannsreke. Resultater for dette området presenteres derfor separat. Totalt 158 forskjellige arter og artsgrupper ble funnet på tråltoktene gjennomført høsten 2018, samt våren og høsten 2019.

This report presents the main results from the surveys in January-March 2020. The surveys were performed with the Norwegian research vessels “Helmer Hanssen” and “Johan Hjort” and the Russian research vessel “Vilnyus”. Annual survey reports since 1981 are listed in Appendix 1, and names of scientific participants are given in Appendix 3.

The Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Bergen, has performed acoustic measurements of demersal fish in the Barents Sea since 1976. Since 1981 a bottom trawl survey has been combined with the acoustic survey. Typical effort of the combined survey has been 10-14 vessel-weeks, and about 350 bottom trawl hauls have been made each year. Most years three vessels have participated from about 1 February to 15 March.

This report presents the main results from the surveys in January-March 2018. The surveys were performed with the Norwegian research vessels “Helmer Hanssen” and “Johan Hjort” and Russian research vessel “Fritjof Nansen”. Annual survey reports since 1981 are listed in Appendix 1, and names of scientific participants are given in Appendix 3.

This report presents the main results from the surveys in January–March 2017. The surveys were performed with the Norwegian research vessels “Helmer Hanssen” and “G.O. Sars”. Annual survey reports since 1981 are listed in Appendix 1, and names of scientific participants are given in Appendix 3.

2018-01-01

2018-01-01

2017-01-01

This thesis focuses on the behavioural dynamics of mesopelagic fish in a fjordic environment. Acoustic data recorded with a stationary echosounder was used to primarily investigate the diel vertical migration behaviour of the mesopelagic fish Maurolicus muelleri. Particular emphasis was on the effect of daily and seasonal changes in surface light irradiance and the vertical distribution of large predator-like fish on M. muelleri. In addition the behaviour of the deeper distributed mesopelagic lantern fish Benthosema glaciale and large, individual fish were also investigated. Diel vertical migrations (DVM) are vital in maintaining the energy flow in marine ecosystem food webs, and migrating organisms thus directly and indirectly provide food/nourishment to many non migrating animals. Typically, DVM are characterised by an ascent to surface waters from deeper day time depths at dusk, followed by a nocturnal period close to the surface and a subsequent descent to daytime depths at dawn. M. muelleri and B. glaciale are abundant and ecologically important fish in several marine systems. They are part of the mesopelagic animal community that performs DVM - nature’s largest migration in terms of biomass. In the Norwegian Sea and fjords M. muelleri forms acoustically visible scattering layers (SLs), while the deeper living B. glaciale appears acoustically more scattered and less dense, not aggregating in distinct SLs. Both species are challenged with seasonally changing gradients of environmental variables including light, temperature, salinity, food abundance and piscivorous predators. Although several aspects of the behaviour and biology of M. muelleri and to a lesser extent of B. glaciale have been studied, our knowledge of short term and seasonal variation of individual fish and SL behaviour, as well as behavioural responses to seasonal changes in surface light irradiance and predator distribution is limited. To address these shortcomings we therefore utilised the fairly recent developments of stationary echosounder assemblages, located on fjord bottoms, which made it possible to collect continuous acoustic records of the entire water column over a 15 month period. Here I present 4 papers covering the description of a stationary acoustic platform and its application in studying the temporal and spatial behavioural dynamics of B. glaciale individuals and layers as well as large individual fish (Paper 1), the monthly and seasonal variations in DVM behaviour of M. muelleri SL (Paper 2), the relationship between daily and monthly changes in surface light intensity and M. muelleri SL depth (Paper 3), and the vertical distribution of M. muelleri SL in relation to seasonally changing predator distribution (Paper 4). By collecting continuous acoustic data with an upward facing split beam echosounder located on the fjord bottom it was possible to observe biotic changes in the water column within the course of days, weeks, and months (Paper 1-4), as well as investigate the vertical distribution and swimming behaviour of individual fish by applying a target strength threshold and target tracking (Paper 1 and 3). Paper 1 specifically describes the reverse diel migrations during day time of the deeper distributed (> 200 m) lanternfish B. glaciale and its swimming behaviour, which was mostly passive and more active during stepwise vertical excursions. Paper 1 also deals with depth related differences in large fish swimming behaviour and target strength. Shallower distributed large fish (< 300 m) had both higher target strengths and swimming speeds than deeper distributed fish (> 300 m). Paper 2 reports on novel behaviours of M. muelleri ontogenetic layers; early morning ascents, reverse diel migrations, and arrested migrations. Previous studies have shown that juvenile M. muelleri perform midnight sinking, i.e. the relocation to deeper waters after dusk, in January in addition to ordinary DVM between January and June. Adult fish on the other hand do not display DVM in January, and stayed in deep waters throughout the diel period, while migrating vertically between the surface and deeper day time depths in spring (May and June). In addition to these previous observations we found that a proportion of ascending juvenile M. muelleri arrested their migration between January and April. Further, adult fish displayed early morning ascents to the surface (in the absence of light) in September and October, and reverse migrations in November until January by migrating approximately 20-30 m upwards at dawn instead of descending. Adult fish ‘overwintered’ for approximately 6 months, whereas younger fish displayed midnight sinking between August and beginning of May. Paper 2 also demonstrated that when three SLs were present, the shallowest SL was composed of post-larvae 10mm long. The observed behavioural patterns are interpreted as responses to individual physiological state, hunger-satiation and condition, prey availability and predation risk at alternative depths. Light affects many aspects of fish behaviour. The preferendum hypothesis states that organism change their depth during DVM because they follow a constant light level, i.e. an isolume. In Paper 3 the upper border depth of M. muelleri SLs was positively, linearly correlated to surface irradiance, which could suggest that M. muelleri follows an isolume. However, this assumes an invariant light attenuation coefficient. On the contrary we found that the light intensity of the isolume was not constant. It tended to vary with migration phase, whether fish were ascending or descending and it also changed with month. We therefore suggest that M. muelleri follow a preferred light range instead of a strict isolume, which reflects a more dynamic relationship. Differences in preferred light range also appear to be related to ontogeny and physiological state. In paper 4 we applied target tracking to study the depth distribution of large, putative predatory fish. High numbers of predator-like fish at the surface at night during autumn and winter month, October – March, appear to cause juvenile M. muelleri to relocate deeper after dusk in order to avoid these predators. However, juveniles continued to decent at dawn in autumn and winter months despite the absence of pelagic daytime predators at this time. This suggests that M. muelleri has an innate (genetically fixed) behavioural response synchronised with the light cycle and triggered by a change in surface light intensity. The presence of high numbers of predators in shallow waters between dawn and dusk may explain why M. muelleri avoided the shallow waters at day time in spring and summer months. An increasingly deeper daytime distribution of predator-like fish in the course of summer may also have influenced the vertical distribution especially of the deeper SLs. The overall findings in this thesis show that vessel independent acoustic observation platforms are well suited to detect and observe both short term and seasonal changes in the behaviour of both layers of fish and individuals. By combining acoustic data with environmental, biological and catch data, I have shown that the DVM behaviour of mesopelagic individuals and SLs is much more complex than previously believed, with fish displaying hitherto undescribed temporally varying behavioural patterns. My studies corroborate and supplement the current understanding of ecological interactions and processes that persist in fjordic environments. Behavioural aspects of M. muelleri have been used to model responses to environmental constraints and the life history of this species, and results presented in this thesis thus have the potential to improve such models. Due to their vital role as prey for commercially exploited fish species in marine ecosystems, mesopelagic fish species have in recent years been the focus of acoustic surveys to estimate their abundance and determine their distribution. A better understanding of their behaviour can aid in improving such estimates and contribute to the improved ecosystem based management of marine resources.

This report contains the 2nd management recommendation (MR) invitations submitted to the case studies in the FarFish project i.e. the high-seas fisheries in SW-Atlantic and SE-Atlantic, and the SFPA fisheries in Cape Verde, Senegal, Mauritania and Seychelles. The purpose of these MR invitations is to offer selected operators (resource users) the opportunity to develop MRs following the “second draft general guidelines for making MRs” presented in FarFish deliverable 3.5. The approach presented in the guidelines are based on principles of results-based management (RBM), where the responsibility for fisheries management is partly transferred to the resource users, provided that they meet with necessary requirements set forth by the authorities and provide documentation confirming implementation and achievement of specified management objectives. The advantages of such an approach include facilitation of more bottom-up style of management where the actual resource users and other stakeholders are involved. This approach is likely to increase the sense of ownership, by the resource users, in the management. Other advantages are for example increased transparency, as well as reduced costs and increased coverage of monitoring, control and surveillance. The MR invitations follow up on a pre-invitation dialogues where the basics of the approach have been introduced. The MR invitations include a short description of what is to be the focus of the MRs, identification of the main actors and their roles and responsibilities in the process, details on the current status of the fishery and finally the identification of so-called Outcome Targets (OTs) that are performance goals that the MRs are to meet.

This report summarises the progress in the first two years of the FarFish project in collecting and compiling biological, ecological and fisheries dependent and fisheries independent data relevant for the project case studies. The report follows up on similar report that was published after the first year of the project. During the first year of FarFish, some modifications in the objectives occurred, resulting in changes in the species which the case studies focus at. For example, in the Cape Verde and Seychelles case studies, the focus shifted to by-catch species that are not assessed by the Regional Management Fisheries Organizations (RMFOs) i.e. the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC). Lists of species for each case studies have been drawn up, sources of data identified, contacts have been made with RMFOs and DG MARE, and data compiled. Data compilation has been largely driven by the FarFish Data Base (FFDB) template. On the other hand, other data required for visualization purposes, especially time series, is also being compiled or requested. A formal data request was prepared for DG MARE, while coastal state case study participants were requested to provide data for the FFDB. Data from DG MARE has been received. Talks are also ongoing with RFMOs, especially CECAF, regarding data acquisition and how FarFish can contribute or add value to assessment and management. Acquisition of NANSEN cruise data has proved difficult. Numerous attempts and initiatives have been made, but to date, these have proved largely unsuccessful.

This report summarises the progress in the first two years of the FarFish project in collecting and compiling biological, ecological and fisheries dependent and fisheries independent data relevant for the project case studies. The report follows up on similar report that was published after the first year of the project. During the first year of FarFish, some modifications in the objectives occurred, resulting in changes in the species which the case studies focus at. For example, in the Cape Verde and Seychelles case studies, the focus shifted to by-catch species that are not assessed by the Regional Management Fisheries Organizations (RMFOs) i.e. the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC). Lists of species for each case studies have been drawn up, sources of data identified, contacts have been made with RMFOs and DG MARE, and data compiled. Data compilation has been largely driven by the FarFish Data Base (FFDB) template. On the other hand, other data required for visualization purposes, especially time series, is also being compiled or requested. A formal data request was prepared for DG MARE, while coastal state case study participants were requested to provide data for the FFDB. Data from DG MARE has been received. Talks are also ongoing with RFMOs, especially CECAF, regarding data acquisition and how FarFish can contribute or add value to assessment and management. Acquisition of NANSEN cruise data has proved difficult. Numerous attempts and initiatives have been made, but to date, these have proved largely unsuccessful.

More than 20% of the European fishing fleets catches are taken from non-European waters. Access to these waters is often based on agreements with coastal states that allow the EU fleet to fish from surplus stocks in return for financial support. These agreements have been subjected to criticism, as these fisheries are sometimes poorly regulated and management decisions are often based on limited knowledge, compliance, and enforcement capabilities. It is also too often the case that trust between stakeholders is lacking. The aim of the FarFish project is to overcome these hurdles. The FarFish project is designed around six case study areas in which the European fleet is actively engaged in fishing activities, including Cape Verde, Mauritania, Senegal and Seychelles, as well as the international high-seas areas in the southeast and southwest Atlantic. Among the Research & Innovation outputs of the FarFish project is a development of a management approach where the management authorities and the resource users come to an agreement on some key objectives and how to meet them. This approach is designed to reduce micromanagement by involving stakeholders and increase the degree of co-management by delegating management responsibilities to resource users. The process is broken into a number of steps, which include a) the provision of guidelines on how to develop so called management recommendations (MRs), b) provision of an invitation from the authorities to the resource users to develop MRs, where overall objectives are established, c) development of MRs, d) third party audit of the MR, where the success of the MR is evaluated. Draft guidelines and MR invitations have been published, and this report compiles the first proposals for MRs for each of the FarFish case studies. These will then be audited by an independent auditor and the whole process will then be re-iterated. The aim is that by the end of the project, we will have a tested / validated approach for how to manage fisheries in cocreation between authorities and resource users.

One of the key objectives of the FarFish project is: "To advance knowledge and collate data related to biological characteristics of the main fish stocks in selected fisheries outside EU waters that are important for the EU fleet, and to evaluate the relevance and applicability of appropriate stock assessment methods for these fisheries." In this context, the review and evaluation of stock assessment models used in the different Case Studies and the status of the stocks is one of the primary objectives of the project. The FarFish project has therefore published this report, which contains a review the stock assessment carried out for the target species in each of the case study areas.

This report contains the 2nd management recommendation (MR) invitations submitted to the case studies in the FarFish project i.e. the high-seas fisheries in SW-Atlantic and SE-Atlantic, and the SFPA fisheries in Cape Verde, Senegal, Mauritania and Seychelles. The purpose of these MR invitations is to offer selected operators (resource users) the opportunity to develop MRs following the “second draft general guidelines for making MRs” presented in FarFish deliverable 3.5. The approach presented in the guidelines are based on principles of results-based management (RBM), where the responsibility for fisheries management is partly transferred to the resource users, provided that they meet with necessary requirements set forth by the authorities and provide documentation confirming implementation and achievement of specified management objectives. The advantages of such an approach include facilitation of more bottom-up style of management where the actual resource users and other stakeholders are involved. This approach is likely to increase the sense of ownership, by the resource users, in the management. Other advantages are for example increased transparency, as well as reduced costs and increased coverage of monitoring, control and surveillance. The MR invitations follow up on a pre-invitation dialogues where the basics of the approach have been introduced. The MR invitations include a short description of what is to be the focus of the MRs, identification of the main actors and their roles and responsibilities in the process, details on the current status of the fishery and finally the identification of so-called Outcome Targets (OTs) that are performance goals that the MRs are to meet.