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Profile updated on 24 August 2022
SUMMARY
SUMMARY
IDENTIFICATION
SCIENTIFIC NAME(s)
Sprattus sprattus
SPECIES NAME(s)
European sprat
For assessment purposes, ICES formerly considered sprat in the North Sea as an independent unit. However, following the results of a recent genetic study, ICES determined it appropriate to merge the North Sea (Subarea 4) and Skagerrak and Kattegat (Division 3a) stocks into a single assessment unit (WKSPRAT 2018 2019). The new area excludes sprat in the Norwegian fjords.
Uncertainty remains with regard to the boundary of this stock with sprat from the Baltic Sea and English Channel (ICES 2018). Local depletion of sprats is an issue of particular ecological concern in areas where there may be geographically or functionally discrete populations (e.g. coastal periphery of Division 3a, and Norwegian fjords) (ICES 2018)(ICES 2019). Further research is recommended.
In addition to the North Sea and Skagerrak and Kattegat (Subarea 4 and Division 3a) unit; FishSource considers the following assessment units currently defined by ICES:
- Celtic Sea and West of Scotland (Subarea 6 and Divisions 7a–c and f–k)
ANALYSIS
- Analytical assessment, conducted in the North Sea (ICES subarea 4) since 2013; has expanded to include the Skagerrak and Kattegat population (ICES Subdivision 3.a) in a single unit. Biomass reference points for the new unit were defined in 2018, including a revised fishing mortality cap (Fcap). The merging of the North Sea and Skagerrak and Kattegat into a single assessment unit has improved the performance of the stock assessment model.
FISHSOURCE SCORES
Management Quality:
≥ 6
≥ 6
10.0
