Intersessional Subgroups
What is the role of the ISSGs?
Regional cooperation is meant to improve the efficiency of data collection through sharing of expertise, data, best practices, knowledge and collaborative tasks. The RCGs bring together several Member States to coordinate planning and implementation of data collection .Their workplan across the year, from one round of the annual technical meetings to the next, is supported with the setup of the Intersessional Subgroups.
In these subgroups the experts concentrate on specific Thematic Focus Areas, and sometimes they are pan-regional. During the relevant RCG’s technical meetings, the different ISSGs present progress and hurdles encountered across the period and propose the update of their Terms of Reference with the tasks and targets for the new intersessional period for approval. The work performed by ISSG is essential for RCG technical meeting preparation and meeting discussions
Some of the RCGs refer to the ISSGs as Working Groups, their general purpose is the same, although there may be slight differences on their procedures to adapt to the dynamics of the RCGs to which they are more directly related.
Access to ICES Sharepoint for RCG Intersessional Subgroups (ISSGs)
Intersessional subgroups (ISSGs)
CS small pelagics Baltic
RCG Baltic agreed to use the fisheries for small pelagic species as a case study for the development of a regional sampling programme in the Baltic Sea. It was agreed to establish a subgroup for in-depth analyses how a regional sampling programme for small pelagics can be established and suggest how it can be implemented. The pelagic fisheries target western Baltic herring, central Baltic herring, herring in Gulf of Bothnia, herring in Gulf of Riga and sprat.
Implementation of regional schemes frequently gets bogged down by single alternatives, or is stopped because of national interest not being prioritized in the regional context. However, this group sees regionalization is a process that can have several outcomes, and it is not necessary the final goal to have a 100% common approach (same vessel platform etc.) for a regionalization to be fulfilled.
The subgroup considers regionalization as involving 4 general steps located along a gradient that goes from “no coordination” to “common monitoring strategy” and “joint data collection”. This gradient naturally entails a different capability of sampling to meet the needs of national and regional end-users. To supplement the sampling needs of specific end-users (e.g., specific end-uses), part of the program can be left for planning on a national scale. That part can still be coordinated (e.g., have common protocols) but does not necessarily require the higher level of regional coordination involved in full regional sampling plans.
Chairs: Marie Storr-Paulsen (DNK), Katja Ringdahl (SWE)
Involved RCG: Baltic
CS pelagic freezer trawler NEA
The EU freezer trawler fleet targeting small pelagic species (mackerel, herring, horse mackerel, blue whiting, sprat and argentine) in the North Atlantic and North Sea was identified by the RCG as a potential candidate for the development of a regionally coordinated sampling plan. The fleet comprising mainly Dutch, German, UK and French flagged vessels is sampled currently by the Netherlands and Germany. The primary aim of this subgroup is to propose a statistically robust regional sampling plan for the European pelagic freezer trawler fleet to be considered for inclusion in a regional workplan.
Chairs: Harriet van Overzee (NLD), Jens Ulleweit (DEU)
RCG involved: NANSEA
CS trawler Iberian Waters
Trawl fisheries in Iberian waters (27.8.c and 27.9.a) are operated mainly by Portuguese and Spanish vessels which land mostly in national ports. These fisheries are multi-specific and important in terms of landed weight and value.
In recent years there has been an interest in developing and implementing a regional sampling plan for these fisheries aiming at optimizing the sampling effort and quality of biological data on these fisheries.
Work towards this end has been developed in previous projects FishPi (2016-2018) and FishPi2 (2018-2019), specifically building theoretical scenarios of regional sampling plan, respectively for single species and multi-species. This work has been further developed in the RCG NANSEA, namely in one of its ISSGs (Inter Sessional Sub Group), and in Project Fishn’Co.
Such work has consisted in using existing data on fisheries landing and effort to theoretically design possible alternative scenarios of distribution of on-shore sampling effort among Portuguese and Spanish fishing ports of 8c and 9a. The best scenarios were selected based on bias and precision of the estimates produced by the scenarios (in simulations); and also based on feasibility and suitability of the scenarios (i.e. if effort in each port could be implemented as proposed in the scenarios, if relevant ports with landings of relevant metiers/fleets/species are included, and if foreign landings could be sampled).
Work is being developed in the short-medium term towards the definition of a pilot study to be implemented in practice, followed by an evaluation of the estimates obained.
Chairs: Rita Vasconcelos (PRT)
RCG involved: NANSEA
CECAF OP
The ISSG was established following the recommendation LDF_2024_R03 by the RCG LDF on their annual meeting in 2024, with the primary objective of jointly organising the necessary scientific observer coverage in the CECAF Regulatory Area in cooperation with the Mauritanian Institute for Fisheries Research (IMROP).
Under the newly renegotiated EU-Mauritania SFPA and protocol, Category 6 vessels fishing in the Mauritanian EEZ are obliged to always embark two “scientific observers”. In Mauritania, scientific observers should be provided by the Mauritanian institute for fisheries research (IMROP), which is currently lacking the capacity to do it.
DGMARE informed that the EU-Mauritania Joint Committee has taken up the recommendation of the 2023 RCG to jointly organise the necessary scientific observer coverage. In particular, the JC agreed to facilitate the embarkation of one (or two) EU scientific observers by directly involving the existing multilateral agreement coordinating the EU’s joint sampling programme of pelagic fisheries[1], when Mauritanian observers are not available.
The ISSG is set up in order to address issues related to the development of a procedure for smoothly embarking EU observers under the EU-Mauritania SFPA. Such a simplified procedure that allows for direct contact between the EU joint sampling program coordinator and vessels’ operators should remove the existing problems with the embarkation of EU observers.
[1] Multi-lateral agreement between Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, The Netherlands and Poland for biological data collection of pelagic fisheries in CECAF waters (https://www.fisheries-rcg.eu/repository/)
Chairs: Maksims Kovsars (LAV)
RCGs involved: RCG LDF
Regional Work Plan
During 2022, RCG NANSEA and RCG Baltic agreed to revive the ISSG on the Development of Regional Workplan (ISSG RWP) during the period 2022-23. The ISSG RWP was given the mandate to develop Draft Regional Work Plan for the period 2025-2027 taking over the Fishn’Co and Streamline projects and then follow-up on the RWP development from 2023 onward. The Liaison Meeting 2023 recommended that the scope of the ISSG RWP was pan regional.
Chairs: Maria Hansson (SWE), Els Torreele (BEL)
RCGs involved: RCG NANSEA, RCG Baltic, RCG LP, RCG ECON, RCG Med&BS
Reports:
Diadromous fishes
The intersessional subgroup for diadromous fishes is a specialised, pan regional subgroup focusing on coordination of data collection and advice for regional workplans on diadromous fishes (primarily eel, salmon, sea trout) in line with DCF regulation. Tasks may include listing end-user needs (variables required, frequency, intensity), coordination of possible needs for regional agreements and suggesting time frames for implementations. Data needs of end-users may include both, commercial and recreational fisheries in marine and inland waters of which the latter always needs to be discussed in close coordination with ISSG recreational fisheries.
Currently the focus of the ISSG Diadromous still is to improve assessment-driven data collection under DCF and to strengthen the interaction between end-users and the ISSG Diadromous / data collection itself. This is intended to be done by encouraging end-users for direct input on data needs for improvement of assessment and comparability in used methodologies as well as by considering regional differences and difficulties in data collection. The goal is to let end-users and ICES EGs further specify the data needs meant for stock assessment and policy advice and thus directly influence data collection. Inputs from end-users is of importance, since ISSG Diadromous has a wide scope including multiple species with different life cycles and stocks, of which the ISSG cannot determine and specify data needs on its own.
Main tasks of the group are:
- Strengthening of communication with end-users (to get and provide direct input on issued connected to data availability for assessment)
- Promotion of data workshops (to collect best data for assessment)
- Promotion of transition from national to regional work plans in the suitable parts of data collection for diadromous species under DCF
Chairs: Marko Freese (DEU), Simon Weltersbach (DEU), Josefin Sundin (SWE)
RCGs involved: RCG NANSEA, RCG Baltic, RCG MED&BS
EMT
The intersessional subgroup on Electronic Monitoring Technologies was established in 2021 to ensure that initiatives made on developing new electronic technologies and the use of these technologies to improve fisheries data collection in EU Member States as well as initiatives made in third countries are disseminated.
Furthermore, to convey that cooperation is made possible and that all ideas are taking into account when developing the best possible new electronic technologies and its implementation.
The tasks and output from the subgroup are as a first step is to initiate the development of an intinery of the use of the following data collection technologies:
- Electronic monitoring (EM)
- Machine learning development, e.g., for automatic species identification and catch weight estimations in real-time
- Electronic measuring boards
- eDNA for species identification ,etc.
Second step would be initiation of cooperation when ever possible for cost efficiency in fisheries data collection by the use of electronic technologies.
Chairs: Gildas Glemarec (DBK), Sander Delacauw (BEL – ILVO)
RCGs involved: RCG NANSEA, RCG Baltic, RCG LP
End user and RCG
The aim of this ISSG is to review and the streamline dialogue between data providers (RCGs) and end users (ICES, Commission) in order to identify effective processes to meet end-user needs and allow the RCG to prioritize its activity relating to future data collections, storage and transmission functions. Annual information meetings between ICES, Commission and RCG chairs are held to ensure good cooperation and to be able to follow the progress over time.
The tasks of this ISSG include:
- Continue with the designed questioannire on the impact of various factors on data collection from commercial fisheries and research surveys
- Communication channel between ICES and RCG chairs
- Communnication channel between Commission and RCG chairs
- Communication channel between end-user and RCG chairs
Chairs: NANSEA and Baltic RCG chairs
RCGs involved: RCG NANSEA, RCG Baltic, RCG LDF
SSF
The intersessional subgroup evaluation on the data collected for the Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF), was established with the aim of improving coordination in the collection of SSF data, in order to improve the knowledge of these fisheries. Based on the needs of the main end-users, the data to be collected are identified and the best way to do this in a regionally coordinated manner is analysed.
This work is carried out in collaboration with the main ICES working groups focused on issues related to commercial fisheries sampling methodologies (e.g., WGCATCH).
Chair: Estanis Mugerza (ESP)
RCGs involved: RCG NANSEA, RCG Baltic
There is increasing interest in the data collection on energy consumption in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. This started with the communication on energy transition for the EU Fisheries and Aquaculture in the action plan set up by the Commission for a transition in these sectors. The Fish Processing sector is not included. Next year there will be a roadmap with some targets to the fishing fleet. There will be need for a baseline that enables comparison of progress towards transition (towards the targets for CO2 emissions). To support this, there is need for good quality data on the use of various fuel types in the two sectors. The question at hand is how the national experts in their programmes may contribute to this data need.
Chairs: TBD
RCGs involved: RCG ECON
Social variables
ToR1: Social and Financial Status
ToR2: Working Conditions
ToR3: Assessment of management measures: Impact of EU conservation measures on fishing communities in terms of employment, working conditions and potential social conflict
ToR4: Generational status
ToR5: Discussion on potential pilot studies among MSs
- Discussion on potential social indicators to be collected under pilot studies.
- Methodological issues
- Evaluation of collection problems and possible challenges
- Comparison of social indicators collection under different pilot studies
Chairs: Angelos Liontakis (GRC), Maraja Richers
RCGs involved: RCG ECON
WGRDBESGOV
WGRDBESGOV is a governance group which oversees the current Regional Database (RDB) and the new Regional Database & Estimation System (RDBES) that is under development.
WGRDBESGOV consists of members from the EU Regional Coordination Groups (RCGs) that upload data to the RDB/RDBES, and from ICES member countries. The group explores data governance questions including data policy, gives guidance on technical developments, and monitors the use of the RDB/RDBES.
The RDB/RDBES stores detailed commercial fisheries sampling data and aggregated effort and landings data. The aims of the RDBES are:
- to ensure that data can be made available for the coordination of regional fisheries data sampling plans, including for the RCGs,
- to provide a regional estimation system such that statistical estimates of quantities of interest can be produced from sample data,
- to serve and facilitate the production of fisheries management advice and status reports, and
- to increase the awareness of fisheries data collected by the users of the RDBES and the overall usage of these data
Chairs: Els Torreele (BEL), Lucía Zarauz (ESP)
RCGs involved: RCG NANSEA, RCG Baltic, RCG LDF, RCG LP
Methodological issues
The ISSG was established in 2024-2025 season following several recommendations issued by RCG ECON during their 2024 annual meeting, namely ECON_2024_R02, ECON_2024_R05 and ECON_2024_R06.
In order to facilitate exchange of methodologies used to gather data on energy consumption in fisheries and aquaculture, a session on methodological issues should be committed to the comparison of data collection procedures and estimation procedures for energy use in both fisheries and aquaculture
RCG ECON recommends to organise a special session to exchange experiences from MSs on the distinction between active and less active vessels in order to evaluate current guidelines and reporting requirements in the National plan annexes.
Chairs: Christos Danatskos
RCGs involved: RCG ECON
Metier and transversal variables issues
The group has been ongoing since 2018, starting with a workshop discussing the methods used to assign métier codes to transversal data, issues and best practices, and the following years as an RCG ISSG. Since 2021, the group changed name to ‘ISSG on Métier and transversal variables issues”, also including tasks related to the definition and calculation of transversal variables dealing with issues and best practices. The group manages a list of métier codes and reference lists used for assigning the metiers.
Chairs: Josefine Egekvist (DNK), Sébastien Demanèche (FRA)
Involved RCGs: RCG NANSEA, RCG Baltic, RCG MED&BS, RCG LDF, RCG LP, RCG ECON
Reports
Workshop reports – European Commission (europa.eu)
Workshop reports – European Commission (europa.eu)
RCG (2022) ISSG Métier and transversal variable issues, 2022 report. 25pp.
RCG (2021, 2020 & 2019) ISSG on Métier issues, 2021, 2020 & 2019 report.
NAFO SP
The ISSG was created following the recommendation LDF_2024_R02 by the RCG LDF on their annual meeting in 2024, with the main objective of harmonising and standardising, as far as possible, protocols for on-board sampling of commercial fisheries in the NAFO Regulatory Area among EU Member States.
NAFO has implemented a commercial fishing vessel monitoring observer programme, whereby all fishing vessels (100%) in the NAFO Regulatory Area must carry an independent on-board observer for control purposes (unless the Contracting Party (CPs) operates a partial observer withdrawal).
However, NAFO observer programme does not include the collection of fundamental stock assessment data that would inform on catch characteristics, such as length distributions, biological and ecological information (e.g. age, length, weight, maturity, stomach contents).
NAFO has yet to develop sampling protocols that are made extensive and mandatory, in a standardised and homogeneous way for the entire commercial fleet operating within the NAFO Regulatory Area, ensuring a balanced and representative sampling of the spatial and temporal distribution of commercial catches.
As a consequence, there is great heterogeneity and lack of consistency in the format data is collected across countries and over time.
Chairs: Liivika Näks (EST)
RCGs involved: RCG LDF
National Correspondents (NC)
The ISSG National Correspondents (ISSG NC) was first established in 2020, as an initiative of the RCGs NANSEA and Baltic. National correspondents from NANSEA and Baltic Member States are the participants of this group.
One of the first tasks of the ISSG NC was to amend the rules of procedure (RoPs) for the RCG NANSEA and RCG Baltic, since both RCGs decided to hold their annual meetings back-to-back. As a result, RCG NANSEA and RCG Baltic have combined RoPs.
Over the years the group has assessed the viability of making the ISSG NC work more pan regional to address issues like the long-term funding of the RCGs Secretariat. In order to make the ISSG work more pan regional the group liaises between different RCGs, and national correspondents from other Member States outside NANSEA and Baltic areas are invited to discussions when needed.
Chair: Anna Hasslow (SWE)
RCGs involved: NANSEA, Baltic, LDF
Reports:
16. ISSG National correspondents, in: RCG NANS&EA RCG Baltic 2023. Regional Coordination Group North Atlantic, North Sea & Eastern Arctic and Regional Coordination Group Baltic. 2022. Part III, Intersessional Subgroup (ISSG) 2022-2023 Reports, 320 pgs.
Alternative Fleet Segmentation
The ISSG Alternative Fleet Segmentation was first established in 2020 as a result of a PGECON 2019 recommendation, to investigate alternate methods of segmentation as defined by ‘fisheries’ rather than dominant gear. The initial idea is to investigate options for an alternative fleet segmentation with a closer link to stocks and types of fishing activities and less heterogeneous vessel groups. This segmentation method is well defined and easily applicable, but it does not adequately represent target fisheries. Vessels with similar technical parameters are often active in varying fisheries that differ in terms of catch composition, fishing activity, and cost structure.
The novel segmentation approach is based on a hierarchical agglomerative clustering procedure that was transferred to an R package. Vessels are grouped based on target stocks and main gear. The approach was tested at two successive virtual workshops on fleets from about 15 MS. After the first WS, the approach was further fine-tuned, following participants’ suggestions. All fleets could be assigned to stock/catch-based clusters.
Further developments of the new approach to the segmentation of fishing fleets were developed in a DCF pilot project. Using the segmentation procedure, participants could derive fleet segments which appeared homogeneous and suitable for representing groups of vessels which perform similar fisheries. On the other hand, groups of polyvalent vessels with diverse and heterogeneous catch profiles hampered the application of the approach and thus the formation of segments. This is, however, not a limitation of the novel approach, but only the reflection of the diversity of the fishing fleet and can be solved by technically adjusting the clustering algorithm which is the central element of the segmentation approach.
The group continues with the development of the alternative segmentation approach to further analyse the issue of pre-segmenting by gear as well as the question of how to address the use of various gears by vessel (polyvalency). Additionally, the group intend to extend the analyses on the consistency of the segmentation result over longer time periods and the regional comparison of the resulting segments in order to assess if the novel approach also leads to results that may facilitate better quality regional analyses.
Chairs: Jörg Berkenhagen (DEU), Erik Sulanke (DEU)
RCGs involved: RCG ECON
Reports:
6.6. ISSG Effects of alternative segmentation, in: RCG ECON 2023. Regional Coordination Group on Economic Issues. 2023. Report, 136 pgs
https://www.fisheries-rcg.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023_RCG-ECON_TM-report_final_v1.1.pdf
6.2. Workshop on Effects of the Alternative Segmentation, in: RCG ECON 2022. Regional Coordination Group on Economic Issues. 2022. Report, 63 pgs
https://datacollection.jrc.ec.europa.eu/documents/d/dcf/2022_rcg-econ
6.3. An alternative approach to the segmentaion of fishing fleets, in: RCG ECON 2021. Regional Coordination Group on Economic Issues. 2021. Report, 46 pgs
https://datacollection.jrc.ec.europa.eu/documents/d/dcf/2021_rcg-econ
Endangered Threatened and Protected Species (ETPs)
The intersessional subgroup case studies for Endangered Threatened and Protected Species (ETPs) monitoring was established with the aim of improving coordination in the collection of ETPs data at regional level.
The main tasks that have been carried out during the last years have been to identify the high-risk fisheries and their sampling coverage at regional level, to identify the most appropriate sampling methodologies for each fishery, to improve and standardize sampling protocols, etc.
In addition, potential case studies for regionally coordinated sampling programmes have also been identified. Much of this work is being done in collaboration with the main ICES working groups involved in these issues (e.g., WGBYC, WGCATCH).
Chairs: Estanis Mugerza (ESP)
Umbrella group (currently ON HOLD)
The aim of the ISSG Optimized and Operational Regional Sampling Plans, also referred to as the “Umbrella Group”, is to develop guidance for the development of optimized and operational regional sampling plans (RSPs) and collate ‘theoretical gaps’ and new developments in optimization tools relevant for the development of RSPs. The “Umbrella Group” supports the development of RPSs by different case studies, by interacting with the case studies and providing guidance in terms of work flow, highlighting needs identified by them or evident from their work, promoting links between them and drawing knowledge from lessons learned from their work. Moreover, in terms of methodologies and tools used by the case studies for the development of RSPs keeps an updated overview of existing optimization tools and of their application in the RSPs case studies.
Chairs: Kirsten Birch Håkansson (DNK), Harriet van Overzee (NLD), Rita Vasconcelos (PRT)
RCGs involved: RCG NANSEA, RCG Baltic
Developing Quality assessment system – current quality assurance framework, reporting and best practices.
Chairs: Evelina Sabatella (IT)
RCGs involved: RCG ECON
Report: RCG ECON ANNUAL REPORT-5.1.ToR I Feedback from ISSG Evaluation of Quality Assurance Framework
Transversal data
The ISSG Transversal data is first established in late 2023 with the objective to harmonise the two data calls with the aim to only ask for transversal variables in the FDI data in the future. If this is achieved, then the AER would only call for socioeconomic data. Following the recommendation from the RCG ECON at the Liaison meeting 2022, that the submission of the final annual Fishing Activity data (landing; effort) from EUMAP Table 6 should be implemented in the frame of a Fishery Dependent Information (FDI) data call.
In order to improve the MS performance and minimise the discrepancies for the submitted data and decrease the number of the data transmitting issues, the possibility of combining these two calls is considered.
The group is taking into account the work that has been done in the FDI meeting on 9/2023 on comparing the FDI and AER data. In addition, responses from the questionnaire regarding harmonization data submission for AER and FDI data calls (landings, effort and capacity) that was analysed in STECF EWG 23-10 FDI are also considered.
Chairs: Zeynep Hekim, Jordi Guillen Jarno Virtanen
RCGs involved: RCG ECON
RCG Overviews
The intersessional subgroup on RDB catch, effort and sampling overviews was established to streamline and facilitate the work on the fisheries and sampling data of the MS and prepare data overviews in advance of the RCG meetings. Before the subgroup was set up, the different RCG conducted data analysis and overviews separately with minimal exchange, resulting in redundancies and efficiency loss. Furthermore, a substantial part of the work was being carried out during the RCG meetings themselves and so not readily available to inform RCG preparation and meeting discussions.
The tasks and output from the subgroup fall into 2 main types of work
i) To develop tools for internal RCG work and
ii) Preparatory work for decision making, including input for regional work plans.
At present, three different documents are being developed utilizing RDB data:
- Catch and Effort Annual Overview
- Catch and Effort Multiannual Overview
- Sampling Overviews
Chairs: Ana Claudia Fernandez (PRT), Lucía Zarauz (ESP)
Involved RCGs: RCG NANSEA, RCG Baltic, RCG LDF
Recreational Fisheries
Recreational fisheries data is collected by individual Member States (MS) according to the Basic Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 and the multiannual data collection framework (EU) 2016/1251. However, there is no standardization between countries and in general there is no one-size fits all approach due to the diverse nature of the sector and cultural differences. Challenges in recreational fisheries data collection are data gaps (no data collected), periodicity of surveys (no time series), and single instead of multispecies surveys. Also often lacking is economic and social data to evaluate the sectoral contribution and ensure fisheries are ecologically, economically, and socially sustainable.
ISSG Recreational Fisheries was established in 2021, because the RCG NANSEA and RCG Baltic needed progress with regional sampling plans for Marine Recreational Fisheries (MRF). The EU-MAP states the relevance of the regional approach for these fisheries, including evaluating end users’ needs for biological data collection, coordinating national surveys of recreational fishing, and defining potential thresholds. As the new regulation does not have a pre-defined list of species, it will be determined by region based on end-user needs. ISSG Recreational Fisheries aims to harmonize recreational fisheries data collection particularly on a regional level. For this subgroup to work properly, it is needed to ensure that the right people are involved, including experts from WGRFS, DCF, and PGECON. National Correspondents (NC) need to be approached to ensure that relevant bodies are contacted to ensure expert participation.
This ISSG aims to fit on preparatory work for decision making, including input for Regional Work Plans (RWPs). The ISSG Recreational Fisheries coordinates with the relevant ICES EG (WGRFS) and the Fishn’Co consortium. ISSG Recreational Fisheries focuses on defining a species list at a regional level, working on regional sampling plans for shared stocks, and incorporating MRF data in the RDBES.
Chairs: Harry V. Strehlow (DEU), Eneko Bachiller (ESP)
RCGs involved: RCG NANSEA, RCG Baltic, RCG MED&BS
Reports:
13 ISSG Marine Recreational Fisheries; in:
Stomach sampling
Fundamental changes in the importance of natural versus fishing induced mortality have been observed in the North Atlantic while moving towards maximum sustainable yield (MSY) management targets. The reduction of fishing mortality in combination with successive recovery of fish stocks, especially of some larger predatory species, led to an increasing natural mortality as opposed to fishing mortality. Consequently, estimates of natural mortality have become more important for stock assessments and forecasts.
Assessing trophic relations with detailed stomach contents analysis increases knowledge on suitable stock-recruit models, assessment of fish species (e.g. estimates of Natural Mortality) and reliable Biological Reference Points (BRP) considering species interactions, all aiming at providing a more appropriate framework for the implementation of multi-annual management plans.
So far, there is no regularly conducted stomach sampling programme covering the entire North Sea, including the Skagerrak and Kattegat, and the FishPi project (EU MARE/2014/19) concluded that the lack of coordination in different stomach sampling campaigns leads to unbalanced sampling effort resulting in a lack of statistically sound sampling of all key species needed for food web characterisation and finally to a barrier for moving towards an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF).
Consequently, the intersessional subgroup for the regionally coordinated stomach sampling was established to improve this situation. The main aim and purpose of this group is the development, implementation and coordination of a regionally coordinated stomach sampling plan in the North Sea, Skagerrak and Kattegat.
This sampling programme has started in 2022 through a coordinated stomach sampling campaign during the North Sea International Bottom Trawl Survey (IBTS) in quarters 1 and 2 and this group will work on the further establishment of this programme and a subsequent stomach content analysis and coordination system.
Chairs: Pierre Cresson (FRA), Matthias Bernreuther (DEU)
RCGs involved: RCG NANSEA, RCG Baltic, RCG MED&BS, RCG LP, RCG ECON
Reports:
14 ISSG Regionally Coordinated Stomach Sampling; in:
SMEFF
The CFP applies to SMEFF fisheries, they also fall under the regular data collection programmes of the DCF. The level of scientific research in FAO Areas 34, 41, and 47 varies considerably, often falling short of the standards recommended for fisheries within EU waters.
The ISSG was created following the recommendation LDF_2024_R05 by the RCG LDF on their annual meeting in 2024, with the primary objective of reviewing and addressing the recommendations from the final report of the “SMEFF study” .
The SMEFF study has elaborated recommendations for the development of a sound science-based decision framework, with associated scientific protocols required to demonstrate the sustainability of a prospective fishery.
Facilitating timely and transparent exchange of information on ongoing and envisaged SMEFF fisheries between operators, MS, the RCG and the EC would be crucial to ensure that SMEFF operators from different MS fishing in the same SMEFF areas start collaborating on data collection and scientific research programmes.
RCGs involved: RCG LDF
SPRFMO OP
The ISSG on SPRFMO OP was established in 2022 following the LDF_2022_R02 to address the SPRFMO requirements as provided for in the “Conservation and Management Measure Establishing the SPRFMO Observer Programme” (CMM 16-2023), and in particular the requirement for observer programme to undergo the SPRFMO accreditation procedure.
The ISSG has worked on the accreditation procedure of the EU Observer Program in accordance with the requirements of SPRFMO and to determine the effective preparation and implementation of other related activities such as:
- the review and updates to observer manual,
- planning and setup of training workshops for EU observers,
- discussion on new multilateral agreement beyond 2024.
In Feb. 2024, the accreditation of the European Union’s Observer Programme was officially notified as successful.
Chairs: Irek Wójcik, Sieto Verver
RCGs involved: RCG LDF
Surveys
This ISSG mainly deals with the cost-sharing of research surveys-at-sea under the DCF EU-MAP. In addition, the group monitors implications such as COVID-19 on surveys from a DCF perspective and react when appropriate and requested. We link to the regionalisation process within and act as focal point for RCG contact. We review proposed substantial changes to the design, set-up or other aspects of surveys having an impact on MS’s Work Plans, effort and/or budget allocation, or obligations. We contribute to Regional Work Plans with regard to surveys and finally also discuss new challenges in fishery-independent data collection due to usage and protection of marine areas.
Chairs: Sieto Verver (NLD), Christoph Stransky (DEU)
RCGs involved: RCG NANSEA, RCG Baltic
TT Observers
The group’s main objectives are the coordination of the onboard data collection and monitoring of the tropical purse seine fleet operating in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, as well as the preparation of the EU data provision to ICCAT and IOTC.
- Study possible deviations from planned to achieved observation coverage.
- Continue updating the observers’ common tools (Observe software, sampling protocol, and reference tables)
- Development of a common sampling approach for the EMS programs
- Continue developing common data quality indicators.
- Establish a common bycatch-raising procedure.
- Search for opportunities for future join analysis/papers
Chairs: Jon Ruiz Gondra (ESP), Philippe Sabarros (FRA)
RCGs involved: RCG LP
TT PSDM
The Sub-ISSG Tropical Tuna – Purse Seine Data Management (PSDM) group has a core focus on the coordination and improvement of data collection from purse seine fisheries targeting tropical tuna in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
One of its primary objectives is to ensure the systematic collection and monitoring of onboard data. This includes both regional observer programs and the increasing use of Electronic Monitoring Systems (EMS). The adoption of EMS has become critical due to the expansion of private monitoring programs and the establishment of EMS standards by RFMOs like ICCAT and IOTC.
Improving the quality and coverage of data collection is also a central goal of the PSDM group. This involves standardizing data collection protocols across Member States, particularly in relation to bycatch species and fishing efforts.
The group is also dedicated to advancing the coordination of tagging programs, with a particular focus on programs that study the post-release survival rates of bycatch species such as sharks and rays. Additionally, the PSDM group is responsible for developing a common bycatch data-raising methodology, which will further contribute to the accurate tracking of bycatch in tropical tuna fisheries.
Another key objective of the group is to ensure that data collected through EU programs is efficiently provided to ICCAT and IOTC as the main RFMOs.
Chairs: Antoine Duparc (FRA), Pedro Pascual Alayón (ESP)
RCGs involved: RCG LP