Boarfish Acoustic Survey Cruise Report 10 July – 31 July, 2014

Abstract

From the early 1970s the abundance of boarfish (Capros aper) was seen to increase exponentially and distribution spread increasingly northwards along the western seaboard and Bay of Biscay (Blanchard and Vandermeirsch, 2005). This survey represents the fourth dedicated research survey for boarfish in the time series. The commercial fishing vessel MFV Felucca was used for the third time and was equipped with a calibrated scientific echosounder (Simrad EK 60) and transducer within a towed body. Data from this survey will be presented to the ICES assessment Working Group for Widely Distributed Stocks (WGWIDE) meeting in August 2014 and as part of the ICES Planning Group meeting for International Pelagic Surveys (WGIPS) meeting in January 2015 (WGIPS).