Northern North Sea saithe and cod

Introduction 

Forming part of the Fisheries Science Partnership programme this two year project monitors and collects information on the 2004 and 2005 year classes of saithe (Pollachius virens)and the 2005 and 2006 year classes of cod (Gadus morhua), using a commercial fishing vessel.

Background

The project was formed in response to an industry and science perceived absence of realistic data on the 2004 and 2005 year classes of saithe and the 2005 and 2006 year classes of cod. These saithe year classes are of particular interest as they are predicted to contribute significantly to landings in 2008, and similarly the 2005 cod year class is currently thought to be stronger than in those recent years.  

Data collection and quality control

As part of the project, fishermen fishing in the Northern North Sea saithe fishery (mainly ICES area IVa) collect quantitative data on their commercial catches of saithe and cod year-round. The information collected includes: 

• Numbers and weights of saithe and cod caught for every haul fished
• Length frequency measurements           
• Shot and haul details, tide, average speed over ground, door spread, headline height and weather/sea state. Once collected the data are collated by the Fish Producers' Organisation (FPO) and captured onto spreadsheets where software identifies any errors in recording the shot and haul positions. A final data check on the primary logsheets is undertaken at Cefas for randomly selected months.