Porcupine Bank Nephrops Grounds (FU16) 2021 UWTV Survey Report and catch scenarios for 2022

Abstract

This report provides the results of the ninth underwater television on the ‘Porcupine Bank Nephrops grounds’ ICES assessment area; Functional Unit 16. The survey was multi-disciplinary in nature collecting UWTV and other ecosystem data. In total 71 UWTV stations were successfully completed in a randomised 6 nautical mile isometric grid covering the full spatial extent of the stock. The mean burrow density observed in 2021, adjusted for edge effect, was 0.14 burrows/m². The final krigged abundance estimate was 1018 million burrows with a CV of 5% and an estimated stock area of 7,130 km2. The 2021 abundance estimate was 19% lower than in 2020. Using the 2021 estimate of abundance and updated stock data imply that catches in 2022 should be no more than 2804 tonnes, according to the EU MAP and ICES MSY approach (assuming that all catch is landed). Four species of sea-pen (Virgularia mirabilis, Funiculina quadrangularis, Pennatula phosphorea and the deepwater sea-pen Kophobelemnon stelliferum) were observed during the survey. Trawl marks were also observed on 38% of the stations surveyed.