Habitat and Biology
Depth zone: Coastal (0 m - 50 m). Vertical distribution: Demersal/Benthic.
Genetic studies indicate that the cod in some fjords may be separate stocks. An assessment of the combined stocks is not likely to detect fluctuations of the smaller components, and thereby the current assessment approach involves some risk to local stocks. The stock complex is still not fully mapped, but the existence of local stocks also calls for special attention to protect genetic diversity and smaller components.
The geographical distribution of coastal cod and Northeast Arctic cod overlap, particularly in the first half of the year, when the Northeast Arctic cod migrates to the Norwegian coast to spawn. Also, immature Northeast Arctic cod migrate to the Norwegian coast to feed on spawning capelin.
||Commercial landings (2011) = 28.6 kt (51% gillnets, 26% Danish seine, 21% longline/handline, and 2% bottom trawl). Unreported catches in recreational fishing were estimated at 12.7 kt in 2009..
Jurisdictional distribution: National
Water Area Overview
Spatial Scale: Sub-Regional
Ecoregion: Barents Sea and Norwegian Sea
Considered a single stock: Yes
ICES advises on the basis of the Norwegian rebuilding plan which require 2012 autumn survey results available in December. If the spawning-stock index in the 2012 autumn survey is lower than the index in 2011, the fisheries regulations should aim at a reduction of F in 2013 of at least 30% relative to 2009. If the survey index is higher than in 2011, the measures taken in 2012 should continue in 2013
Overall Assessment Results
|Figure 126.96.36.199 Cod in Subareas I and II (Norwegian coastal waters cod). Landings, recruitment, fishing mortality estimates, and relative SSB estimates (1 = average 1995–2010). |
Assessment ModelQuality consideration
Estimated catches in the recreational fishery represented about 35% of the total catch in 2009. However, these estimates are not monitored on an annual basis and are considered to be uncertain. Scientific basis
||Based on survey trends.
||Catch-at-age and an acoustic survey (coastal survey, NOcoast-Aco-4Q).
|Discards and bycatch
||Estimate of recreational catches available.
||F from VPA initiated with terminal F from regression with survey Z.
|Working group report
Management unit: YesManagement plans
A rebuilding plan as agreed by the Norwegian authorities (Annex 3.4.2) was evaluated by ICES in 2010 (ICES, 2010). ICES considers the proposed plan to be provisionally consistent with the precautionary approach.
Biological State and Trend
This is a trends-based assessment. The survey indicates that the SSB is close to its lowest value. Recruitment has remained low in recent years. F appears variable without a clear trend since 2000
Source of information
The above excerpts are from the first two pages of the ICES advice, the supporting information to this advice can be read in full at the following reference:
ICES. Cod in Subareas I and II (Norwegian coastal waters cod). Report of the ICES Advisory Committee, 2012. ICES Advice, June 2012. http://www.ices.dk/committe/acom/comwork/report/2012/2012/cod-coas.pdf