Distribution of Greenland Halibut and By-catch Species that Overlap the 200-mile Limit Spatially and in Relation to Depth – Effect of Depth Restrictions in the Fishery. Distribution of the Fishable Biomass of the Main Commercial Species of Fish in Relation to Depth

It is thought that measures currently in operation in the NAFO Regulatory Area are not adequate for the protection of the juvenile fish. The largest fishery in the NRA and thus the one of greatest concern is that directing for Greenland halibut. As well, the need to reduce by-catch of any species in the Greenland halibut and other fisheries has been noted. Because of the range of depths currently fished, the Greenland halibut fishery not only focuses on the juvenile component of the population but also takes significant by-catch. This paper is a compendium of 12 papers presented recently to Scientific Council. Information on the distribution of Greenland halibut including distribution of undersized (below 35 cm, the Canadian minimum landing size) and mature and immature components of the population based on both survey and commercial information is presented. The paper also elaborates on the distribution of other commercial species that occur in the NRA, those that may be taken as by-catch in the directed Greenland halibut or other NRA fisheries, including those that overlap the Southeast Shoal

First record of Neoscopelus macrolepidotus Johnson, 1863 (Actinopterygii: Myctophiformes: Neoscopelidae) from Irish waters (Porcupine Bank, north-eastern Atlantic)

The blackchin, Neoscopelus macrolepidotus Johnson, 1863 (known also as large-scaled lanternfish), originally discovered at Madeira, is a globally distributed benthopelagic fish species that inhabits depths between 300 and 1100 m in the tropical and subtropical regions. Despite the sampling site of the original description, the species seems to be very rare in the eastern Atlantic, particularly at northern latitudes. The worldwide distribution of the species seems to be restricted to latitudes lower than 45º either in the Southern and Northern Hemisphere. During the Porcupine 2016 bottom trawl survey a specimen of N. macrolepidotus was collected at a depth of 628 m and latitude 51ºN in the Porcupine Bank, situated in the north-eastern Atlantic, approximately 204 km off the west coast of Ireland. This is the first record of the species in the Porcupine Bank. It significantly extends the distribution range of N. macrolepidotus and represents the highest latitude reported for this species either in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere. This extended distribution may have been facilitated by the course of the Mediterranean Outflow Water, which on its way to the north-eastern Atlantic reaches the slope of the Bank at depths where N. macrolepidotus is usually distributedVersión del editor0,54

Results of the 2004 Spanish Experimental Fishing in NAFO Subarea 1

An experimental fishing was carried out with three bottom trawlers commercial Spanish vessels from July to December of the year 2004 in the Subarea 1. The main objective of the experimental fishing was to search for cephalopods species concentrations inside the territorial waters of Greenland. During the experimental fishing a scientific observer stayed on board each vessel to collect effort data, catches and yields by haul and Division. The observers carried out length distribution samplings of the following species: Reinhardtius hippoglossoides, Pandalus borealis, Gadus morhua, Sebastes spp., Hippoglossoides platessoides and Macrourus berglax. Biological samplings of R. hippoglossoides, P. borealis, H. platessoides, G. morhua and M. berglax were also carried out. Otoliths of Greenland halibut (1 356) and Atlantic cod (739) were collected for age determination. Greenland halibut was the main species caught and the cephalopods, target species, have not been found in the experimental fishing

An approach to age and growth of south Atlantic swordfish (Xiphias gladius) stock

A first growth function was estimated for the South Atlantic swordfish stock. A total of 406 anal fins were collected from 2006 to 2013. Fins were classified into three types and the most common, type A, was selected. Biometric relationships among several ray section measurements and lower jaw fork length were analysed. A detailed methodological description for swordfish age interpretation has been developed. Inconclusive results have been obtained when indirect validation test, as edge type and marginal increment ratio analysis, were applied. Mean size at age and growth parameters were estimated using the Standard Von Bertalanffy growth model (VBGM) (L∞= 358.7, k= 0.092, t0= -1.929), which showed the best fit in comparison with other VBGMs

Vertical distribution and aggregation patterns of krill (Crustacea: Euphausiacea) in the Bay of Biscay: interannual and seasonal variability

The recent collapse and recovery of the anchovy population in the Bay of Biscay raised the need to assess environmental influences on the mortality of juvenile stages, in particular the impacts of predation by tunas. Stomachs of 1354 albacore and 579 bluefin tunas were collected in several zones of the Bay of Biscay and adjacent waters in the summers of 2004–2007 (period of depletion in anchovy population) and of 2009–2010 (period of recovery). Among different years, average daily consumption of anchovy (when present in diet) varied between 6.7 and 26.5 individuals (max. 118) per day and predator for bluefin tunas, and between 4.8 and 15.5 (max. 103) for albacore. Anchovy consumption by tunas appeared to have an important interannual, seasonal, and geographical variability. Juvenile anchovy were absent from both albacore and bluefin tuna diets until early August in all years. They were also absent from albacore diet outside the inner Bay of Biscay (core area of anchovy) in 2004–2007, whereas they were present up to the most northwestern part of the Bay in 2010, which supposes a higher exposure to predation in the period of recovery. On the other hand, the absence of albacore in the inner Bay of Biscay since 2008 tends to reduce predation impacts. Anchovy appears to be a significantly more important prey for bluefin tuna than for albacore, particularly in the case of age‐1 bluefin tunas. No significant relationship was found between tuna size and anchovy consumptio