Joint Russian Norwegian Arctic Fisheries Working Group (JRN-AFWG) Report 2024

Abstract

On 30th March 2022 all Russian participation in ICES was temporally 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, the ICES AFWG provided advice only for saithe, coastal cod north, coastal cod south, and golden redfish (Sebastes norvegicus). Northeast Arctic (NEA) cod, haddock and Greenland halibut assessments have been conducted outside of ICES in a newly constituted Joint Russian-Norwegian Working Group on Arctic Fisheries (JRN-AFWG). Although this work has been conducted independently of ICES, the methodologies agreed at ICES benchmarks and agreed HCRs (Harvest Control Rules) have been followed in providing this advice.

In 2024 we are giving 2-year advice for both Greenland halibut and beaked redfish. The beaked redfish model is planned for a method revision prior to the next advice.

Advice on fishing opportunities for NEA cod

The NEA cod stock is continuing to decline following a period of moderate to poor recruitment. Following the agreed HCR, the advice for 2025 is that catches should be no more than 311 587 tonnes. This is down from 453 427 because the stock is projected to fall below Bpa, and therefore the stability constraint on interannual catch variation does not apply. Provided that this advice is followed, then projections indicate that at current recruitment levels the stock should stabilize and start to rise after 2027.

Advice on fishing opportunities for NEA haddock

Advice is that catches in 2025 should not exceed 106 912 tonnes, down from 127 550 tonnes, from the advice in 2023. A relatively good yearclass in 2021 should enter the fishery in 2026- Provided that this yearclass is not heavily caught at small sizes then then should lead to an increase in stock and catches thereafter. In recent years there has been a rise in the catch of small haddock, and if this is not curtailed then there is a risk that a large part of the incoming yearclass could be fished before reaching a size to give optimum yield.

Advice on fishing opportunities for Greenland halibut

The Greenland halibut stock is projected to fall below Bpa in the course of 2024, which has resulted in lowered advice. The advice is that catches in 2025 should be no more than 12 431 tonnes, and catches in 2016 should be no more than 14 891. This stock has a history of quota and catches being set above advice, which has led to the decline of the stock. There is good yearclass in 2019 which offers a prospect of an increase in stock and advice – provided the advice is followed and the stock is not further reduced.

Advice on fishing opportunities for beaked redfish

The stock is at a high level, with SSB rising slowly and total fishable biomass relatively stable. The catch advice is no more than 67 191 tonnes in 2025 and 69 177 tonnes in 2026, compared to an advice of 70 164 tonnes for 2024. There has been a high retrospective pattern for this stock assessment, and a method revision is planned before the next advice is due (for the 2027 fishing season).