Cod catches from demersal and pelagic trawl gears in the Clyde estuary: results from an industry-led survey in 2016: a report on behalf of the Clyde Fishermen's Association

Abstract

[Extract from Foreword] This ‘cruise report’ is the first of a short series, reflecting the aspiration of the Clyde Fishermen’s Association to establish a rigorous sampling scheme to monitor changes in the abundance and distribution of cod (and later other gadoid species) within the Clyde area. The Scottish Oceans Institute was approached to provide independent scientific support in early 2016. A series of surveys was then conducted in 2016, 2017 and 2018. In each survey the SOI provided observers, collected data and wrote up a cruise report detailing the methods used and the location, numbers, weights, sex and maturity states of fish caught. Trials were halted after 2018 firstly because of pressing issues resulting from Brexit which absorbed any potentially available human and other resources, and secondly because of the COVID pandemic. The reports remained as unapproved and incomplete drafts until 2022. Picking up these reports again in 2022, we have responded to reviewers’ comments since made by Marine Scotland Science and have finalised all four reports in the 2016-2018 current series.

Report on CFA Clyde demersal fish survey March 2017: summary report to the Clyde Fishermen's Association

“…In 2016 the Clyde Fishermen's Association initiated what is intended to be the first of a series of trawl surveys in the Clyde designed to track changes in the Clyde cod stock, and associated species (Coram et al 2022). The overall aim is to improve current understanding of different aspects of the cod population within the Firth of Clyde, and to track and understand any changes in stock distribution and abundance that might result from the seasonal closed area that was implemented to address concerns about the state of the cod stock in the wider area (Commission Regulation 456/2001)…”