NE Atlantic Mackerel stocks at record levels with huge biomass, unprecedented distribution
SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Undercurrent News] by Eva Tallaksen - Aug 28, 2014
The Northeast Atlantic mackerel stock is thriving, writes Undercurrent's Eva Tallaksen, following the results from the latest joint Norwegian, Icelandic and Faoese trawl and ecosystem survey, which took place from July 2 to Aug. 12. The researchers reported a 9 million ton biomass, up from last year, and warmer water temperatures and more plankton in the Northeast Atlantic.
As they gathered on Aug. 12 – 15 in the Faroese capital Torshavn during a post-cruise meeting, researchers from the three countries’ trawlers pooled together their data and the results have now been laid out.
The findings? As summarized by Norway’s Institute of Marine Research, and as available
here in the report, it’s a string of records when it comes to mackerel.
The stock was found to be at the same record high levels observed in the 2013 survey, with a biomass at around 9 million metric tons — compared to last year’s 8.8 million metric tons. This is thanks to a series of strong year classes in the past ten years.
The 2010 and 2011 year classes in particular appear to be at record levels...
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