Welcome   Sponsored By
Subscribe | Register | Advertise | Newsletter | About us | Contact us
   


Juvenile anchovy stock diminishes in Bay of Biscay, but remains at healthy levels

Click on the flag for more information about Spain SPAIN
Friday, December 13, 2019, 03:00 (GMT + 9)

The population of anchovies under one year old that currently live in the waters of the Bay of Biscay stands at 114,000 tons, an amount below the historical average, but which remains at healthy levels. This is indicated by the results of the Juvena 2019 scientific survey, the annual monitoring study of anchovy juvenile biomass conducted by the Basque technological center AZTI.

“The figure obtained is lower than the historical average of Juvena, which started in the eighties. Despite this decline, the abundance of anchovy is at healthy levels and a risk scenario for the 2020 fishing season is not detected, since the estimates of juveniles must be added to the survivors of the adult population in 2019, when it reached its all-time high,”says researcher Guillermo Boyra, responsible for the study.

To collect the data from Juvena, AZTI research staff embarked in September aboard the oceanographic vessels Emma Bardán and Ramón Margalef, belonging to the fleets of the General Secretariat of Fisheries and the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO), respectively. Subsequently, the data collected to establish the estimate was analyzed and statistically treated.

During the study, AZTI experts used ultrasound systems to detect the abundance of anchovies. The analysis of the received echoes allowed to establish both the anchovy juvenile biomass (about 114,000 tons), and its location (distributed both by the continental shelf and the slope). In addition, the catches obtained during the cruise made it possible to determine the average size of the juveniles, which stands at about 6.1 centimeters.

Oceanographic vessel Emma Bardán (IEO)

“The estimates of the Juvena 2019 survey anticipate a medium-low recruitment, without implying entering a risk zone for the fishery. From a historical perspective, the recruitments that had been happening since 2014 were very high, all well above the average. The expected recruitment for the 2020 fishing season is similar to those that occurred at the beginning of this decade and in the 1990s,” adds Boyra.

Small pelagic stocks such as anchovy are characterized by very strong interannual fluctuations in recruitment and biomass level. The importance of the Juvena surveys is that they allow to evaluate the fluctuations of abundance of anchovy juveniles in order to give advance notice. In this way, the exploitation of anchovy is adequately regulated taking into account its abundance year after year.

Photo: Juvena/AZTI

The rules for anchovy fishing were elaborated by scientists from AZTI, IEO, Ifremer and the advisory body of the European Commission STECF during the past decade. These measures were adopted following the collapse of the stock and the anchovy fishery in 2005.

The norms are designed to regulate the exploitation in case of possible drops of abundance of the anchovy and guarantee the sustainability of the fishery.

The data produced by the Juvena surveys, funded by the Basque Government, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Food and Environment and the IEO, allow recommendations to be made to the fisheries authorities and, if the figures suggest it, to open or close the fishery and recommend the total allowable catch (TAC) for the following season.



But the Juvena surveys go beyond determining the abundance of anchovy juveniles and their distribution in the Bay of Biscay. In recent years, they have incorporated an ecosystem approach that not only focuses on juvenile anchovy, but encompasses the entire community of small pelagics with which it shares an ecosystem such as adult anchovy, sardine, chicharro or verdel.

Environmental factors such as temperature, salinity or turbidity in the water column are also studied and food availability is taken into account, analyzing the spatial distribution and abundance of different types of plankton.

To close the analysis of the food chain, AZTI researchers have included in the surveys the study of the spatial distribution of large marine predators in the Bay of Biscay. For this, they have analyzed the distribution and abundance of birds and marine mammals, collecting information on the species present, as well as the number and behavior of the individuals sighted during the cruise.


editorial@seafood.media
www.seafood.media


 Print


Click to know how to advertise in FIS
MORE NEWS
Russian Federation
Jul 16, 03:00 (GMT + 9):
Far East Salmon Fishery Kicks Off Strong, Exceeding Previous Years' Catches
European Union
Jul 16, 02:00 (GMT + 9):
EU and Iceland Forge Stronger Alliance for Sustainable Ocean Management
Viet Nam
Jul 16, 00:10 (GMT + 9):
Vietnam's Pangasius Industry Faces Inevitable Shift: Deep Processing Becomes Key to Survival Amidst Tariffs
Singapore
Jul 15, 23:00 (GMT + 9):
IN BRIEF - Update on Restructuring: Approval of Scheme of Arrangement
Worldwide
Jul 15, 23:00 (GMT + 9):
IMPORTANT NOTICE: FIS - Fish Info & Services Co.Ltd | SeafoodMediaGroup
United States
Jul 15, 06:30 (GMT + 9):
US Shrimp Imports Surge Amidst Tariff Uncertainty: A Deceptive Boom for Exporters?
New Zealand
Jul 15, 06:00 (GMT + 9):
Seafood New Zealand Alerts Public: Greenpeace Tactics Pose Safety Risks to Fishers
Argentina
Jul 15, 06:00 (GMT + 9):
Crisis in Argentina's Shrimp Fishery: Freezer Fleet on the Ropes Amid Wage Dispute
United Kingdom
Jul 15, 00:10 (GMT + 9):
Nominations Open for Prestigious MSC And ASC Sustainable Seafood Awards 2025
Japan
Jul 15, 00:10 (GMT + 9):
Mitsubishi Leads Global Tuna Market Towards Sustainability with Stricter Sourcing Rules
Viet Nam
Jul 15, 00:10 (GMT + 9):
Global Tuna Market Set for Transformation in 2025: Sustainability, Transparency Drive New Era
Brazil
Jul 15, 00:10 (GMT + 9):
Trump's 50% Tariff Halts Brazilian Fish Exports, Sparks
Chile
Jul 15, 00:00 (GMT + 9):
Other Media | aqua.cl: Multi X Obtains Two Innovative Patents That Boost Efficiency in Seawater Operations
Japan
Jul 15, 00:00 (GMT + 9):
Other Media | SeafoodSource: Maruha Nichiro to open cultivated seafood restaurant as part of rebrand
United Kingdom
Jul 15, 00:00 (GMT + 9):
Other Media | fishfarmingexpert: UK shoppers asked to pick their favourite ASC fish dish



Lenguaje
FEATURED EVENTS
  
TOP STORIES
Victory Farms Pioneers Sustainable Tilapia Farming in Africa, Joins ASC Improver Programme
Kenya Kenya's Victory Farms has become the first tilapia farm in Africa to join the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) Improver Programme, marking a significant stride towards responsible seafood product...
(Peru's Giant Squid Dilemma: Balancing Conservation and Artisanal Fishing Traditions
Peru While PRODUCE pushes for science-based conservation measures for the giant squid (pota), the decision to implement a fishing ban is creating tension with artisanal fishermen, who see their traditional...
'Red Tuna' in the Grey Zone: Carbon Monoxide-Treated tuna Sparks Global Concern
Worldwide The alluring crimson hue of tuna in sushi and sashimi hides a practice blurring the line between marketing and fraud: carbon monoxide (CO) treatment. Legal in some places but banned in others — ...
Multus and Fishway Partner to Scale Cultivated Fish Production, Addressing Global Seafood Shortfall
Belgium In a strategic move to tackle the growing demand for sustainable seafood, Fishway and Multus Biotechnology have announced a partnership to accelerate the development of cost-effective, cultivated fish...
 

Umios Corporation | Maruha Nichiro Corporation
Nichirei Corporation - Headquarters
Pesquera El Golfo S.A.
Ventisqueros - Productos del Mar Ventisqueros S.A
Wärtsilä Corporation - Wartsila Group Headquarters
ITOCHU Corporation - Headquarters
BAADER - Nordischer Maschinenbau Rud. Baader GmbH+Co.KG (Head Office)
Inmarsat plc - Global Headquarters
Marks & Spencer
Tesco PLC (Supermarket) - Headquarters
Sea Harvest Corporation (PTY) Ltd. - Group Headquarters
I&J - Irvin & Johnson Holding Company (Pty) Ltd.
AquaChile S.A. - Group Headquarters
Pesquera San Jose S.A.
Nutreco N.V. - Head Office
CNFC China National Fisheries Corporation - Group Headquarters
W. van der Zwan & Zn. B.V.
SMMI - Sunderland Marine Mutual Insurance Co., Ltd. - Headquarters
Icicle Seafoods, Inc
Starkist Seafood Co. - Headquearters
Trident Seafoods Corp.
American Seafoods Group LLC - Head Office
Marel - Group Headquarters
SalMar ASA - Group Headquarters
Sajo Industries Co., Ltd
Hansung Enterprise Co.,Ltd.
BIM - Irish Sea Fisheries Board (An Bord Iascaigh Mhara)
CEFAS - Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science
COPEINCA ASA - Corporacion Pesquera Inca S.A.C.
Chun Cheng Fishery Enterprise Pte Ltd.
VASEP - Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters & Producers
Gomes da Costa
Furuno Electric Co., Ltd. (Headquarters)
NISSUI - Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd. - Group Headquarters
FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization - Fisheries and Aquaculture Department (Headquarter)
Hagoromo Foods Co., Ltd.
Koden Electronics Co., Ltd. (Headquarters)
A.P. Møller - Maersk A/S - Headquarters
BVQI - Bureau Veritas Quality International (Head Office)
UPS - United Parcel Service, Inc. - Headquarters
Brim ehf (formerly HB Grandi Ltd) - Headquarters
Hamburg Süd Group - (Headquearters)
Armadora Pereira S.A. - Grupo Pereira Headquarters
Costa Meeresspezialitäten GmbH & Co. KG
NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Headquarters)
Mowi ASA (formerly Marine Harvest ASA) - Headquarters
Marubeni Europe Plc -UK-
Findus Ltd
Icom Inc. (Headquarter)
WWF Centroamerica
Oceana Group Limited
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Ajinomoto Co., Inc. - Headquarters
Friosur S.A. - Headquarters
Cargill, Incorporated - Global Headquarters
Benihana Inc.
Leardini Pescados Ltda
CJ Corporation  - Group Headquarters
Greenpeace International - The Netherlands | Headquarters
David Suzuki Foundation
Fisheries and Oceans Canada -Communications Branch-
Mitsui & Co.,Ltd - Headquarters
NOREBO Group (former Ocean Trawlers Group)
Natori Co., Ltd.
Carrefour Supermarket - Headquarters
FedEx Corporation - Headquarters
Cooke Aquaculture Inc. - Group Headquarters
AKBM - Aker BioMarine ASA
Seafood Choices Alliance -Headquarter-
Austevoll Seafood ASA
Walmart | Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (Supermarket) - Headquarters
New Japan Radio Co.Ltd (JRC) -Head Office-
Gulfstream JSC
Marine Stewardship Council - MSC Worldwide Headquarters
Royal Dutch Shell plc (Headquarter)
Genki Sushi Co.,Ltd -Headquarter-
Iceland Pelagic ehf
AXA Assistance Argentina S.A.
Caterpillar Inc. - Headquarters
Tiger Brands Limited
SeaChoice
National Geographic Society
AmazonFresh, LLC - AmazonFresh

Copyright 1995 - 2025 Seafood Media Group Ltd.| All Rights Reserved.   DISCLAIMER