The Labadie, Jones and Cockburn Banks Nephrops Grounds (FU20-21) 2025 UWTV Survey Report and catch scenarios for 2026

Abstract

This report presents the main results of the 2025 underwater television (UWTV) survey conducted on the ‘Labadie, Jones and Cockburn Banks’ within ICES assessment area Functional Unit (FU) 20-21. The 2025 annual survey was multi-disciplinary, collecting UWTV footage along with other ecosystem data. A total of 93 UWTV stations were completed at 6 nm intervals over a randomised isometric grid design, resulting in 100% coverage of the area. The mean burrow density in 2025 was recorded at 0.17 burrows/m2 , indicating an increase from 0.11 burrows/m2 in 2024. The 2025 geostatistical abundance estimate was 1 791 million burrows, a 56% increase on the abundance from 2024 and resulting in a coefficient of variation (CV) of 4% well below the 20% upper limit recommended by SGNEPS (2012). Low to moderate burrow densities were observed throughout the surveyed grounds. Using the 2025 abundance estimate and updated stock data, the estimated catch for 2026, aligned with the ICES Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) approach, is projected at 3 171 tonnes, assuming no change in discard rates and fishery selection patterns from 2022–2024 average. One species of sea-pen (Virgularia mirabilis) was recorded at the surveyed stations. Trawl marks were observed at 30% of these stations.