FU19 Nephrops Grounds 2014 UWTV Survey and catch options for 2015

Abstract

This report provides the main results and findings of the fifth underwater television survey of the various Nephrops patches in Functional Unit 19. The survey was multi-disciplinary in nature collecting UWTV, CTD, multi-beam and other ecosystem data. In 2014 a total 40 UWTV stations were successfully completed. The mean density estimates varied considerably across the different patches. The 2014 raised abundance estimate of 636 million burrows was a 31% increase from the 2013 estimate. Taking into account the uncertainty (CV of 15%) this is not significantly different from abundance estimates since 2011. Using the 2014 abundance and recent mean weight and discard parameters would imply total catches of 1119 t fishing at Fmsy in 2015. Based on recent discard patterns which are high in this area; 715 t would be landings and 404 t would be discards. Two species of sea pen were observed; Virgularia mirabilis and Pennatula phosphorea, both species have been observed on previous surveys of FU19.