Marine Institute Open Access Repository

Recent Submissions

  • ItemOpen Access
    International Blue Whiting Spawning Stock Survey (IBWSS) Spring 2026
    (Marine Institute, 2026-05) Wageningen Marine Research; Institute of Marine Research; Faroe Marine Research Institute; Marine Institute; Danish Institute for Fisheries Research; Spanish Institute of Oceanography; Thünen Institute; Marine Directorate
    The International Blue Whiting Spawning Stock Survey (IBWSS) Spring 2026 was carried out from March to April 2026 to assess the abundance, biomass, distribution, and population structure of Northeast Atlantic blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou). The survey was coordinated through the ICES Working Group on International Pelagic Surveys (WGIPS) and involved five research vessels from Ireland, the Faroe Islands, the Netherlands, Norway, and Spain. Acoustic data were collected using calibrated scientific echosounders and analysed using the StoX software framework, supported by biological sampling from midwater trawl catches. Despite persistent poor weather conditions that reduced survey efficiency and biological sampling effort, good spatial and temporal coverage of the core spawning areas along the continental shelf break was achieved. The estimated total stock biomass in 2026 was 3.0 million tonnes, representing a 32% increase compared with 2025, while total stock numbers increased by 34%. The stock was dominated by 2–5‑year‑old fish, and spawning stock biomass was estimated at 2.9 million tonnes. Distribution patterns were consistent with recent years, with the bulk of the stock concentrated in the Rockall Trough and adjacent shelf‑edge areas. The results are considered robust and contribute to the long‑term IBWSS time series supporting international stock assessment and fisheries management advice.
  • PublicationOpen Access
    AVS Streaming Test video
    (2025) Evans, J
  • ItemOpen Access
    Genetic Structure of Blue Ling, Molva dypterygia, in the North Atlantic
    (John Wiley and Sons, 2026-3-27) Quintela, María; Oeverboe Hansen, Hege; Unneland, Laila; Coscia, Ilaria; Johansen, Torild; Ofstad, Lise Helen; Helle, Kristin
    The blue ling, a deep-water fish widespread in the Northeast Atlantic, has suffered major population declines from intensive fishing since the 1970s. Individuals sampled from four Norwegian fjords and offshore locations, including the Norwegian shelf, Faroe Islands, Rockall, Iceland and Greenland, were genotyped at 61 SNP loci. Results revealed weak but significant overall differentiation (FST = 0.005***) and no evidence of isolation by distance. While fjord and offshore groups showed no broad genetic separation, Yrkefjord displayed a distinct pattern relative to most other locations, warranting further investigation. Moreover, linkage disequilibrium analysis of SNPs produced a PCA pattern consistent with the characteristic three-band structure associated with chromosomal inversions
  • ItemOpen Access
    Shellfish Stocks and Fisheries Review 2025: an assessment of selected stocks
    (Marine Institute, 2026-03) Marine Institute
    This review presents updated information on the status of selected shellfish stocks in Ireland for 2025. It also provides an overview of the shellfish fishing fleet and trends in landings of shellfish species, excluding Nephrops. The purpose of this annual review is to present stock assessment and management advice for shellfish fisheries, particularly where new management measures are under consideration or where scientific advice is required to support assessment of potential environmental impacts, including in areas designated under European Directives. The review reflects recent work undertaken by the Marine Institute in the biological assessment of shellfish fisheries and their interactions with the marine environment.
  • PublicationOpen Access
    Captain Cockle and the Rock Pool Colouring Book
    (Marine Institute, 1997) Joyce, John
    The Captain Cockle and the Rock Pool Colouring Book contains a number of colouring pages illustrating the adventures of Captain Cockle meeting many “giant” seashore creatures. Captain Cockle and the Rock Pool is by John Joyce.

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