White anglerfish in the Celtic Seas and Bay of Biscay is not overfished and not subject to overfishing.
Reference points for white anglerfish were established in 2022 for this Celtic Seas and Bay of Biscay stock.
The spawning stock biomass (SSB) in this area has increased overall from a low of around 21,580 tonnes in 2005 to 55136t in 2022 - well above target levels (MSY BTrigger = 28275t). Therefore, the stock is not in an overfished state. Recruitment has averaged 117 million between 2013-2022. Assumed recruitment in 2021 and 2022 is close to the average at 109.6 and 108.6 million respectively.
Fishing mortality (F) has been generally declining since 2013 from 0.25 to 0.15 in 2021. This is below levels associated with Maximum Sustainable Yield (FMSY = of 0.19). The stock is therefore not subject to overfishing.
ICES advises that when the MSY approach is applied, catches in 2023 should be no more than 34,476 tonnes. The new methodology, based on the benchmark, has changed the estimated fishing mortality and recruitment estimates altering catch advice.
