INVESTIGATIONS ON DEMERSAL FISH IN THE BARENTS SEA WINTER 2001 Detailed report

INVESTIGATIONS ON DEMERSAL FISH IN THE BARENTS SEA WINTER Detailed report Institute of Marine Research IMR Polar Research Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography PINRO

This report should be cited as: Anon.. Report of the internationale group fish survey in the Barents Sea and adjacent waters in AugustSeptember 998. IMR/PINRO Joint Report Series. No. /. ISSN 5888. 6pp.

Joint IMRPINRO report Investigations on demersal fish in the Barents Sea winter Detailed report Asgeir Aglen, John Alvsvåg,Yuri Lepesevich, Knut Korsbrekke, Sigbjørn Mehl, Kjell H. Nedreaas, Konstantin Sokolov, and Per Ågotnes Institute of Marine Research P.O. Box 87 Nordnes N5 Bergen NORWAY PINRO 6 Knipovich Street 876 Murmansk RUSSIA

CONTENTS PREFACE SUMMARY 5. INTRODUCTION 6. METHODS 7. Acoustic measurements 7. Swept area measurements 9. Sampling of catch and agelength keys.. SURVEY OPERATION. HYDROGRAPHY 7 5. TOTAL ECHO ABUNDANCE OF COD AND HADDOCK 9 5. Horizontal distribution 9 5. Vertical distribution 6. DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF COD 5 6. Acoustic estimation 5 6. Growth 6. Considerations and conclusion 6 7. DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF HADDOCK 8 7. Acoustic estimation 8 7. Swept area estimation 7. Growth 5 7. Conclusion 8 8. DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF REDFISH 9

8. Acoustic estimation 9 8. Swept area estimation 5 9. DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF OTHER SPECIES 58. COMPARISONS BETWEEN RESEARCH VESSELS 6. LITERATURE 6. LIST OF PARTICIPANTS 66

PREFACE Annual catch quotas and other regulations of the Barents Sea fisheries are set through negotiations between Norway and Russia. Assessment of the state of the stocks and quota advices are given by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). Their work is based on survey results and the international landings statistics. The results from this demersal fish winter survey in the Barents Sea are an important source of information for the annual stock assessment. These surveys started in the mid 97ies, focused on acoustic measurements of cod and haddock. Since 98 the survey has been designed to give both acoustic and swept area estimates of fish abundance. Some development has taken place since then, both in terms of area coverage and in terms of methodology. The development is described in more detail by Jakobsen et al. (997). At present this survey provides the main data input for a number of projects at Institute of Marine Research, Bergen: monitoring abundance of the Barents Sea demersal stocks mapping fish distribution in relation to climate and prey abundance monitoring food consumption and growth estimating predation mortality caused by cod This report presents the results from the survey in February. This year the Russian research vessel Persey participated in addition to the Norwegian research vessels G.O. Sars and Johan Hjort. The total duration of the survey was from 7 January to 7 March. One scientist from PINRO, Murmansk, participated onboard Johan Hjort.

SUMMARY A combined acoustic and bottom trawl survey to obtain indices of abundance and estimates of length and weight at age has been carried out each winter (6 weeks in January March) since 98 in the Barents Sea. The target species are cod and haddock, but in recent years abundance indices have also been worked out for the redfish species and Greenland halibut. Since 99 the survey area has been extended to the north and east in order to obtain a more complete coverage of the younger age groups of cod. In winter 997 only the Norwegian part of the Barents Sea and a small part of the Svalbard area was covered, while in 998 also a small part of the Russian EEZ was covered. In 999 and the vessels had full access to the Russian EEZ. In a Russian research vessel covered most of the areas where the Norwegian vessels did not have access, and a sufficient coverage was thus obtained. The main results in were: the 999 year class of cod is very weak and the year class is indicated to be somewhat below average. The 998 year class is slightly higher than expected from last years survey the abundance indices of 7 year old cod (99799 year classes) are around average, as expected from the last years survey the numbers of 8 year and older cod are very low length and weight at age and weight increment are improving the mortality rate has been reduced compared with the previous years for age group and younger, while it is still high for older age groups for haddock all the year classes 998, 999 and are indicated to be at or above average. The 996 year class is below average, but considerably larger than the year classes 99995, which are very weak. length and weight at age and weight increment seem to have stabilized in, after a period of increase over the years 998. the abundance indices of the redfish species are among the lowest in the time series and there are no signs of improved recruitment compared to the results the abundance indices of Greenland halibut less than cm have decreased, while they have increased for most of the size groups above cm. The survey covers, however, only parts of this species' normal area of distribution. 5

. INTRODUCTION The Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Bergen, has performed acoustic measurements of demersal fish in the Barents Sea since 976. Since 98 a bottom trawl survey has been combined with this acoustic survey. The survey area was extended in 99. Since then the typical effort of the combined survey has been vesselweeks, and about 5 bottom trawl hauls have been made each year. Most years vessels have participated from about February to March. The purpose of the investigations is: Obtain acoustic abundance indices of cod, haddock and redfish Obtain swept area abundance indices by length (and age) groups of cod haddock, redfish and Greenland halibut. Map the geographical distribution of those fish stocks Estimate length, weight and maturity at age for those stocks Collect stomach samples from cod as a basis for estimating predation by cod The results and the collected data are used both in the ICES stock assessments and by several research projects at IMR. In the early 99ies the cod distribution area increased both due to improved climate and increasing stock size. In 99 the survey area therefore was increased, and since then the survey has been aimed towards covering the whole cod distribution area outside the iceborder. In 997 and 998 the Norwegian research vessels were not allowed to cover the Russian EEZ, and in 999 the coverage was partly limited by a rather unusually wide iceextension. Adjustments, associated with large uncertainties, are applied to the estimates in 997 and 998 to compensate for the lack of coverage. The results for those years may therefore not be comparable to the results for other years. The coverage in and was far better then in the three previous years. 6

. METHODS. Acoustic measurements The method is explained by Dalen and Smedstad (979, 98), Dalen and Nakken (98), MacLennan and Simmonds (99) and Jakobsen et al. (997). The acoustic equipment has been continuously improved. Since the early 99ies a Simrad EK5 echo sounder and Bergen Echo Integrator (BEI, Knudsen 99) has been used. In the mid 99ies the echo sounder transducers were moved from the hull to a protrudable centreboard. This latter change has largely reduced the signal loss due to air bubbles close to the ship s hull. Acoustic backscattering values (s A ) are stored at high resolution in the BEIsystem. After scrutinizing and allocating the values to species or species groups, the values are stored with m vertical resolution and nautical mile horizontal resolution. The procedure for allocation by species is based on: composition in trawl catches (pelagic and demersal hauls) the appearance of the echo recordings inspection of target strength distributions For each trawl catch the relative s A contribution from each species is calculated (Korsbrekke 996) and used as a guideline for the allocation. In these calculations the fish length dependent catching efficiency of cod and haddock in the bottom trawl (Aglen and Nakken 997) is taken into account. If the trawl catch gives the true composition of the species contributing to the observed s A value, those catchbased s A proportions could be used directly for the allocation. In the scrutinizing process the scientists have to evaluate to what extent these catchbased s A proportions are reasonable, or if they should be modified on the basis of knowledge about the fish behaviour and the catching performance of the gear. Estimation procedures The area is divided into rectangles of /± latitude and ± longitude. For each rectangle and each species an arithmetic mean s A is calculated for the demersal zone (less than m above bottom) and the pelagic zone (more than m above bottom). Each of those acoustic densities by rectangle are then converted to fish densities by the equation: 7

sa σa > () τ σ A is average fish density (number of fish / square n.mile) by rectangle s A is average acoustic density (square m / square n.mile) by rectangle τ A is average backscattering crosssection (square m) by rectangle A For cod, haddock and redfish the backscattering crosssection (τ ), target strength (TS) and fish length (L cm) is related by the equation (Foote, 987): TS > τ log > log( L ). 68 () θ From 99 onward the following target strength function has been applied for cod, haddock and redfish: TS > 8. log( L ). 7. 9 () The data for the period 9899 has been recalculated (Aglen and Nakken 997) for taking account of: changed target strength function changed bottom trawl gear (Godø and Sunnanå 99) size dependant catching efficiency for cod and haddock (Dickson 99a,b). In 999 some errors in the time series were discovered and corrected (Bogstad et al. 999). Those errors related to cod for the years 98998 and for haddock for the years 985998. Combining equations, and gives: σ A > 5. 5 s / L () A L is average squared fish length by rectangle and by depth channels (i.e., pelagic and bottom) As a basis for estimating L trawl catches considered to be representative for each rectangle and depth zone are selected (Anon. 998). This is a partly subjective process, and in some cases catches from neighbouring rectangles are used. Only bottom trawl catches are used for the demersal zone. Obtaining a sufficient number of useful pelagic catches requires huge effort, and uncertainties concerning the fish behaviour relative to the pelagic trawl often lead 8

to doubts about the representativity of the pelagic catches. Therefore, both pelagic and bottom trawl catches are applied to the pelagic zone. Length frequency by 5cm length groups form the basis for calculating mean squared length. The bottom trawl catches are normalised to nautical mile towing distance and adjusted for length dependant fishing efficiency (Aglen and Nakken 997, see below). Pelagic catches are applied unmodified. Let f i be the (adjusted) catch by length group i and let L i be the midpoint (cm) of the length interval i. Then: L > i max i> imin i f i> i i min L f i i max () For each species the total density ( σ A ) by rectangle and depth zone is calculated by equation (). This total density is then split on length groups according to the estimated length distributions. These densities are further converted to abundance by multiplying with the area of the rectangle. The estimated abundance by rectangle is then added for defined main areas (Figure.). Estimates by length are converted to estimates by age by using an age length key for each main area derived from the age sampling during the survey.. Swept area measurements All vessels were equipped with the standard research bottom trawl Campelen 8 shrimp trawl with 8 mm (stretched) mesh size in the front. Until and including 99 a codend with 5 mm (stretched) mesh size and a cover net with 7 mm mesh size were used. Since this mesh size may lead to considerable escapement of year old cod, the cod ends were in 99 replaced by codends with mm mesh size. At present a cover net with 6 mm meshes is mostly used. The ground gear has also been changed during the time series. The trawl is now equipped with a rockhopper ground gear. Until and including 988 a bobbins gear was used, and the cod and haddock indices from the time period 98988 have since been recalculated to rockhopper indices and adjusted for fish length dependent fishing or sweep width (Godø and Sunnanå 99, Aglen and Nakken 997). The sweep wire length is m, plus m wire for connection to the doors. Vaco doors (6m, 5kg), which are considered to be the best compromise when doing both pelagic and bottom trawling, have earlier been used as standard trawldoors on board the research vessels. On hired vessels Vtype doors (ca 7 m ) have been 9

used. In, R/V Johan Hjort and R/V G.O.Sars used Vaco doors (6m, 5kg), while R/V Persey used a Vtype door ( Steinshamn W9, 7.m, 5kg). In order to achieve constant sampling width of a trawl haul independent of e.g. depth and wire length, a m rope locks the distance between the trawl wires 58 m in front of the trawl doors. This is called strapping. The distance between the trawl doors then become almost constant of 85 m (Engås and Ona 99, Engås 995). The trawl s catchability of different species and length groups then becomes independent of bottom depth. Without strapping, the distance between the doors is 56 m and increasing with increasing wire length, and thereby with increasing depth. In 99 strapping was used on board the research vessels, in 99 on every third haul, in 995997 on every second haul on all vessels, and since 998 on all hauls when weather conditions allow for it. Standard tow duration is minutes (until 985 the tow duration was 6 min.). On all trawl stations the trawl performance is constantly monitored by Scanmar trawl sensors, i.e., distance between the doors, vertical opening of the trawl and bottom contact control. The geographical position of the trawl stations are predefined and kept fixed from year to year. When the swept area investigations started in 98 the investigated area was divided into four main areas (A, B, C og D) and 5 strata (smaller and, by experience, more uniform biotops). During the first years the number of trawl stations in each stratum was set based on expected fish distribution in order to reduce the variance, i.e., more hauls in strata with high and variable fish density. In recent years the trawl stations have been spread out more evenly, although the distance between stations in the central cod distribution area is shorter ( n.miles) compared to the more marginal areas ( n.miles). In the strata close to the Finnmark coast was covered by a 5 n.mile grid. Considerable amounts of young cod were during the 99ies distributed outside the initial four main areas, and in 99 the investigated area was therefore enlarged by areas D, E, and the icefree part of Svalbard (S) (Fig.. and Table.), altogether 8 new strata. In the 99 and 99 survey reports, the Svalbard area was included in A and the western (west of ±E) part of area E. Since 996 the number of strata has been. The main reason for reducing the number of strata was the necessity to get a sufficient number of trawl stations in each stratum to get reliable estimates of density and variance.

Swept area fish density estimation Swept area fish density estimates (σ s,l ) by species (s) and length (l) were estimated for each bottom trawl haul by the equation: σ s, l > σ s,l number of fish of length l per n.m. observed on trawl station s f s, l estimated frequency of length l a s, l swept area: a s, l f a s, l s, l d s EWl > 85 d s towed distance (n.mile) EW l length dependent effective fishing width: χ EW l > β l for lmin = l = lmax χ EW l > EW lmin = β l l l EW l > EW lmax = β min for min l l χ l max for max The parameters are given in the text table below: Species β χ l min l max Torsk 5.9. 5 cm 6 cm Hyse.8.75 5 cm 8 cm The fishing width was previously fixed to 5 m =.5 nm. Based on Dickson (99a,b), length dependent effective fishing width for cod and haddock was included in the calculations in 995 (Korsbrekke et al., 995). Aglen and Nakken (997) have adjusted both the acoustic and swept area time series back to 98 for this length dependency based on meanlengthatage information. In 999, the swept area 98995 time series was recalculated for cod and haddock using the new area and strata divisions (Bogstad et al. 999). For redfish, Greenland halibut and other species, a fishing width of 5 m was applied, independent of fish length. Observations of fish density by length are summed together in 5 cm lengthgroups σ sl, where l is the lengthgroup. Stratified indices by lengthgroup and stratum will then be:

Ap L p, l > σ s, l S p s in stratum p L pl, index, stratum p, lengthgroup l A p area (n.m. ) of stratum p (or the part of the stratum covered by the survey) S p number of trawl stations in stratum p The coverage of the northern and easternmost strata differs from year to year. The strata area is therefore recalculated when necessary by multiplying the total stratum area by the ratio of trawl stations taken. Indices are estimated for each stratum within the main areas A, B, C, D, D, E and S. Total number of fish in each 5 cm length group in each main area is estimated by adding all strata within the area. Total number of fish at age is estimated by using an agelength key constructed for each main area. Total indices on length and age are estimated adding all main areas.. Sampling of catch and agelength keys. Sorting, weighing, measuring and sampling of the catch are done according to instructions given in Fotland et al. (). Since 999 all data except age are recorded electronically by Scantrol Fishmeter, a measuring board connected to stabilized scales. The whole catch or a representative sub sample of most species was length measured on each station. On each bottom and pelagic trawl station age (otoliths) and stomach were sampled from cod per 5 cm lengthgroup. All cod above 9 cm were sampled. The stomach samples were frozen and analysed after the survey. From haddock age was sampled from specimen per 5 cm lengthgroup. Regarding the redfish species, Sebastes marinus and S. mentella, otoliths for age determination were sampled from fish in every 5 cm lengthgroup on every station. This regular sampling was supplied with extra samples from hauls with big redfish catches. Greenland halibut were sorted by sex before length measurement and age (otolith) sampling. From this species otoliths were collected from 5 fish per 5 cm length group for each sex on all stations. Table. gives an account of the sampled material.

One agelength key is constructed for each main area. All age samples are included and weighted according to: w pl, L > n w p, l weighting factor L p, l swept area index of number fish in lengthgroup l in stratum p n pl, number of age samples in lengthgroup l and stratum p pl, pl, Fractions are estimated according to: P () l a > p p n n w pal,, pl, w pl, pl, () l p a weighted fraction of age a in lengthgroup l and stratum p n pal,, number of age samples of age a in lengthgroup l and stratum p Number of fish by age is then estimated following the equation: () l a p, l a p l N > L P Mean length and weight by age is then estimated according to (only shown for weight): W a > p l j W p l w w aplj,,, pl, W aplj,,, weight of sample j in lengthgroup l, stratum p and age a j pl,

. SURVEY OPERATION The survey in was conducted with R/V "G.O. Sars" 7.7. (BEIsurvey no., series no. 8878), R/V "Johan Hjort"9.. (BEIsurvey no., series no. 8875), and R/V Persey from PINRO 7.7. (series no. 8 89). Fig.. shows survey tracks and trawl stations, and fig.. shows the survey area with the main areas A, B, C, D, D', E and S (part of the Svalbard area). Tabell. shows the area in square n.miles of each main area covered by the survey every year. Altogether 6 hydrographical (CTD) stations and 99 trawl stations were taken (fig..); of these were 5 fixed, predefined, bottom trawl stations included in the calculation of swept area indices. of the trawl stations were pelagic trawl hauls using Åkrahamn pelagic trawl ( mm mesh size in front and mm in the cod end; see Valdemarsen and Misund 995) in order to get more samples and information to improve the echo scrutinizing by species and fish length. Persey and Johan Hjort made 6 parallel bottom trawl tows for comparison. The comparisons are reported in chapter. One scientist from PINRO, Murmansk, participated onboard Johan Hjort as long as the vessels were working in Russian EEZ. Table. gives an account of sampled length and age material from fixed and free (set out on echo registration) bottom trawl stations as well as pelagic trawl stations. Table.. Area (n.miles ) covered in the bottom trawl surveys in the Barents Sea winter 98. Main Area Sum Year A B C D D' E S ABCD Total 98 99 99 87 58 56 885 885 99 99 87 58 586 5 8965 669 8885 76 99 7 87 58 586 975 576 5 97 8 995 7 87 58 586 568 859 86 97 8655 996 595 97 58 59 57 588 6 966 658 997 758 97 58 59 68 95 6989 659 8759 998 758 97 58 59 5886 89 587 659 99 999 758 97 58 786 796 577 87 866 89 75 97 58 586 896 8 685 969 65 669 97 58 59 976 577 857 955 6

76 Drift Iceborder Persey 75 7 7 7 7 7 69 68 8 6 8 6 5 5 Figure.. Survey tracks and trawl stations; R/V "G.O. Sars", R/V "Johan Hjort" and R/V Persey 7.7... 76 75 S E 7 7 D' 7 7 B A C D 7 69 68 8 6 8 6 5 5 Figure.. Bottom trawl stations used in the swept area estimation in, and borders for the main areas. 5

Table.. Number of trawl stations, fish measured for length (L) and age (A) for main areas and trawl types in the Barents Sea winter. B=fixed bottom trawl, B=other bottom trawl, P=pelagic trawl. A B C D D' E S Area Total B B P B B P B B P B B P B B P B B P B B P B B P Trawl type No of hauls Cod Haddock S.marinus S. mentella Greenland halibut L A L A L A L A L A 6 8 597 69 7 68 88 566 7 8 7 9 5 5 5 5 889 989 8 98 5 9 56 8 5 79 99 99 76 75 7 85 96 8 8 879 96 5 5 685 7 986 96 8 9 58 68 5 66 7 5 7 7 6 8 56 5 87 8 9 55 7 6 9 86 9 6 5 Sum 99 6789 998 9 657 7 5 7 5 99 5 8 59 6 98 79 6 9 5 6

. HYDROGRAPHY Measurements of temperature and salinity where recorded for the whole water column on all fixed trawl stations. In addition, the standard hydrographical section Sem Islands north was taken by Johan Hjort (fig..). Fig.. shows the drift ice border and temperature distribution close to surface, at m depth and at the bottom. As in the ice border in was far to the east and north and hampered only to a minor extent the survey coverage. The Barents Sea was slightly warmer in compared to the year before. This was especially noticeable by the extension of the º C isotherm at bottom, which extended far to the northeast and southeast. The standard hydrographical sections FugløyaBjørnøya and Vardønorth which were taken one week before the fish survey, showed moderate changes in mean temperature at 5 m depth, compared to 999 and. The observed mean temperature at the Sem Islands section was also close to the observation in. This section was not covered in the 997 999. 6. 5. Temperature...... A B C. 977 979 98 98 985 987 989 99 99 995 997 999 Fig... Mean temperatures in 5 m depth in 977. A) "FugløyaBjørnøya" in March, B) "VardøNord" in March, C) Sem Islands in JanuaryFebruary. 7

5. 77 76 75 7 7 7 5 7 7 6 6. 69 68 6 8 6 8 6 8 6 8 5 5 5 77 76 75 7 7 7 7 6 5 5 5 7 69 68 6 8 6 8 6 8 6 8 5 5 5 77 76 75 7 7 7 7 7 6 5 5 5 69 68 6 8 6 8 6 8 6 8 5 5 5 Figure.. Temperature distribution February. A) surface, B) m depth, C) bottom. 8

5. TOTAL ECHO ABUNDANCE OF COD AND HADDOCK 5. Horizontal distribution The geographical distributions of total echo abundance of cod and haddock are shown in fig. 5. and 5., respectively, where also the drift ice border is drawn. The distribution of cod was rather similar to the one observed in. Very scattered recordings of cod were observed over most of the area covered by the survey, while the areas with dense recordings were quite limited. Haddock had a wider distribution to the north than usual. The densest recordings were observed from Skolpen Bank to the Murman coast. Table 5. shows the echo abundance (echo density multiplied by area) distributed on main areas as well as on pelagic versus bottom channels. Compared to the survey (Aglen et al. ) the echo abundance has decreased in all main areas except A, and the total value for cod has decreased by about 5%. For haddock there was an increase in main area D and decrease in A and C, while the total was similar to the value. For redfish there was some increase in main area S and a small decrease in other areas, resulting in about % increase in total value. Table 5. presents the time series of total echo abundance of cod and haddock in the investigated areas. The values for cod and haddock are above those from the late 9ies, but considerably below the values observed in the mid 9ies. The relative echo abundance for cod in the bottom channel ( m above bottom) increased from % in to % in, and for haddock it increased from % to %. 9

76 75 9.9.9.9 5.99.9 Drift Iceborder Area covered 7 7 7 7 7 69 68 8 6 8 6 5 5 Figure 5.. COD. Distribution of total echo abundance winter. Unit is area back scattering surface (s A ) per square nautical mile (m /n.mile ). 76 75 9.9.9.9 5.99.9 Drift Iceborder Area covered 7 7 7 7 7 69 68 8 6 8 6 5 5 Figure 5.. HADDOCK. Distribution of total echo abundance winter. Unit is area back scattering surface (s A ) per square nautical mile (m /n.mile ).

Table 5.. Echo abundance of cod, haddock and redfish in the pelagic layer (P) and in the m layer above the bottom (B) in main areas of the Barents Sea winter (m reflecting surface ). Area Cod Haddock Redfish P B Total P B Total P B Total A B C D D' E S 55 79 55 787 67 98 9 5 77 8 6 5 7 9 6 7 9 8 76 8 6 5 88 8 5 8 6 69 6 8 58 5 8 8 8 9 5 9 6 7 7 5 76 Total 87 698 85 85 65 6 85 788 Table 5.. Cod and haddock. Total echo abundance and echo abundance in the m layer above the bottom from acoustic surveys in the Barents Sea winter 98 (m reflecting surface ). 98 99 includes mainly areas A, B, C and D. Echo abundance Year Total Bottom Bottom/Total Cod Haddock Sum Cod Haddock Sum Cod Haddock Sum 98 98 98 98 985 986 987 988 989 99 99 99 99 99 995 996 997 95 576 5 79 5 998 6 85 65 5 556 995 97 686 597 8 587 599 676 696 9 55 76 8 6759 876 776 85 9 55 5 58 69 65 66 58 799 69 6 76 8 68 579 8 56 8 95 559 8 76 6 788.6..7.7.9 9 7...6.8.5.8.6..........8 58 987 6 775.6.9 999 6 7 68 89 5 5.9..6 596 87 8 6 95... 85 55 698 65...7 ) Norwegian EEZ and part of the Svalbard area..6

5. Vertical distribution Tables 5.5.5 show the vertical distribution of echo density per meter depth for cod, haddock and redfish. It should be noticed that the values within each bottom depth interval and main area are direct averages off all observations, which means that strata with high sampling intensity are overrepresented compared to those with lower sampling intensity. Results combined over bottom depth intervals or over main areas ( All and Total in the tables) have been weighted by the number of observations (i.e., naut. miles). Since these values represents volume densities, they have to be multiplied by the extent of the height intervals for comparison of area densities, and, in addition, multiplied by the area for comparison of echo abundance between main areas. The highest acoustic volume densities for cod (Table 5.) were observed m above bottom in the 5 m and 5 m bottom depth intervals. These bottom depth intervals also show the highest volume densities for the hight intervals up to 5 m above bottom. The main areas giving the highest volume densities were B, C, D and S. Table 5.. Average acoustic backscattering volume density (s A per meter depth x ) allocated to cod by height intervals above bottom and by bottom depth intervals. The total average corresponds to the average by bottom depth intervals weighted by the number of observations (Naut. miles). Bottom Height above bottom (intervals in m) Naut. Region depth (m) 5 5 5 5 5 5 > Miles All 5 All 5 All 5 57 7 5 7 All 5 6 5 88 7 6 7 89 All 5 67 6 8 9 7 9 All 5 59 96 5 5 8 7 7 96 All 5 57 7 6 7 9 All >5 9 6 5 6 9 7 79 All Total 6 77 6 6 5 8 A Total 69 58 6 8 7 7 B Total 976 7 5 86 8 7 76 C Total 695 7 6 75 6 6 D Total 6 7 99 9 68 D Total 6 5 5 95 E Total 9 5 S Total 8 6 75 76 Table 5. shows the vertical distribution of haddock acoustic density per meter depth. As for cod, the highest densities for haddock were observed m above bottom in the 5 m and 5 m bottom depth intervals. The main areas giving the highest volume densities were B and D.

Table 5.. Average acoustic backscattering volume density (s A per meter depth x ) allocated to haddock by height intervals above bottom and by bottom depth intervals. The total average corresponds to the average by bottom depth intervals weighted by the number of observations (Naut. miles). Bottom Height above bottom (intervals in m) Naut. Region depth (m) 5 5 5 5 5 5 > Miles All 5 All 5 8 5 All 5 85 6 7 9 7 All 5 77 7 96 6 6 7 89 All 5 97 8 88 8 9 All 5 59 6 7 7 7 96 All 5 98 65 9 8 All >5 68 9 9 79 All Total 76 7 9 6 8 A Total 89 7 8 6 B Total 887 67 6 8 76 C Total 58 75 6 56 6 D Total 59 9 56 59 68 D Total 9 7 8 5 95 E Total 6 5 S Total 65 6 8 5 76 Table 5.5 shows the vertical distribution of redfish acoustic density per meter depth. The highest densities for redfish were observed m above bottom deeper than 5 m bottom depth. Among the main areas, B and A showed the highest values. In those areas the pelagic recordings tended to be dominated blue whiting, and there were rather few pelagic tows. Therefore, the acoustic values allocated to redfish are regarded to be uncertain.

Table 5.5. Average acoustic backscattering volume density (s A per meter depth x ) allocated to redfish by height intervals above bottom and by bottom depth intervals. The total average corresponds to the average by bottom depth intervals weighted by the number of observations (Naut. miles). Bottom Height above bottom (intervals in m) Naut. Region depth (m) 5 5 5 5 5 5 > Miles All 5 All 5 All 5 5 7 All 5 89 All 5 6 5 8 5 9 All 5 8 7 8 96 All 5 6 7 56 5 9 6 All >5 5 5 8 79 All Total 6 66 6 9 5 8 A Total 6 5 5 6 75 5 8 B Total 97 6 8 8 76 C Total 5 65 66 6 6 D Total 7 7 68 D Total 95 E Total 5 S Total 7 59 6 56 76

6. DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF COD 6. Acoustic estimation Surveys in the Barents Sea at this time of the year mainly cover the immature part of the cod stock. Most of the mature cod (age 7 and older) have started on its spawning migration southwards out of the investigated area, and is therefore to a lesser extent covered. Acoustic indices by length and age are given in table 6.. Table 6. shows the acoustic indices for each age group by main areas, in the pelagic layer (P) and in the m layer above the bottom (B). The time series (98) is presented in table 6.. The indices for 997 and 998 are raised to also represent the Russian EEZ. Indices for the Russian EEZ in 997 and 998 were calculated by interpolation of the ratios found in the Russian EEZ in 996 and 999, age group by age group. Since the coverage of the Svalbard area (S) varies from year to year due to ice, this area has been excluded in the extrapolation of fish abundance in the Russian EEZ in 997998, and just added to the total index afterwards. The index for year old cod is the lowest estimated since the survey area was extended in 99. For age and the index is % and 56%, respectively, of the 99 average. The indices for 7 year olds show an increase compared to the year before, but these age groups are still at or below the average 99 level. For older fish the indices are around % of the 99 average. 5

Table 6.. COD. Abundance indices at length and age from the acoustic survey in the Barents Sea winter (numbers in millions). Age (yearclass) Length 5 6 7 8 9 Sum cm () (99) (98) (97) (96) (95) (9) (9) (9) 59 59 59 59 59 55 5559 66 6569 77 7579 88 8589 >9 5.8 55. 7.7.8. 8.6..5 7. 5.5 7. 5.5. 5..5 57. 7.6 7.9.. 6..7.8 5.5.6.8 6..7.8..6...8..9..5.... 5.8 55. 8.5 8.7 5.8 79. 9.6 65.9 5. 9. 7.5.7 5.9 8.6.7...5 Sum 69.9 6.9 8. 7.6 77. 9.7.8..5..7 Table 6.. COD. Acoustic abundance indices in the pelagic layer (P) and in the m layer above the bottom (B) for the main areas of the Barents Sea winter (numbers in millions). Area Layer () A P 6.9 B. B P.9 B. C P 9.7 B 5.6 D P. B 8.5 D' P 9. B 7.7 E P. B 9. S P 8. B 8.7 ABCD P 7.5 B 5. Total P 5. B 76.7 Sum 69.9 (99).5.5..6. 8.6.6..6.. 7...7.7..7 6.9 (98).5..7.7.9.5 8.6.7.9..7.7. 6. 86.7..6 6.6 8. Age (yearclass) 5 6 (97) (96) (95) 8.6.7...9.9.5.9.7.5..6..9.5.8.9. 9. 5.6.7.6 9.5...6.5..6..... 5.6 6.8.. 5..9 6......5.5 5.8.8 7. 6.5 5.9 7.6 77. 9.7 7 (9).8.......9..5. 6.5.9 7..6.8 8 (9)....7.6.8.7. 9 (9)......5 Total. 66.8 5... 9..5.8 9. 8.6 6.5 8. 5.5 79. 5. 5. 7.7..7 6

Table 6.. COD. Abundance indices from acoustic surveys in the Barents Sea winter 98 (numbers in millions). 9899 includes mainly areas A, B C and D. Age Year 5 6 7 8 9 Total 98 8. 98. 98 6.5 98 75. 985 69. 986 5.6 987.6 988. 989 7.5 99 8. 99 8. 99. 99 7. 99 858. 995 69. 996 96. 997 6.5 998. 8. 5..8 6. 6..9. 6. 8..9 9.5 56. 9.7 577. 9.9 9.8.5. 9. 5. 9. 5. 99.6 6.8 5. 7..8 5. 76.5 57. 9.8 66. 9.9 88. 6....6.6..9 5.5..6.6 65.8 9..5 59.8 7.5 5.7 6.. 7.. 9.7 65.9. 56.. 6. 9. 8.8 8. 9.7 85.8 9.. 6.. 7. 7.6 8.. 6.5 5.8. 8.9..8 6.6 68.8 7.7 7. 6. 8. 5.6.8.... 6.9 9.8 6.9 7.6 8.. 6.7.6........... 7..5 5..7..8...5..7..9.8..7.7..7...........5.9... 97..5 966. 8.9 8. 57. 78. 5. 578.7 9.9 6. 65. 57. 8.8 7.5 76.8 6.9 7.7 8.6..5 6.9.6.7. 999 58.. 5. 96. 5.. 6...8. 976. 5.. 5. 58.9. 5. 9.6.7.. 985. 69.9 6.9 8. 7.6 77. 9.7.8..5..7 ) Indices raised to also represent the Russian EEZ. 7

6. Swept area estimation Figs. 6.6. show the geographic distribution of bottom trawl catch rates (number of fish per naut.mile, corresponding to hours towing) for cod for each of the size groups < cm, cm, 5 9 cm and > 5 cm. As in previous years the greatest concentrations of the smallest cod (< cm) were found in the eastern part of the survey area within the Russian EEZ. Also the size groups cm and 59 cm show highest densities in this eastern area. Bigger cod were only caught in small numbers with no dense concentrations. Table 6. presents the abundance indices by length groups for each main area. Standard error and coefficient of variation (CV) are also given. The CV is lowest in the size range 569 cm and is below % for the whole size range between and 79 cm. Agelength distribution of the total swept area index as well as the distribution of the index by main area and age is given in tables 6.5 and 6.6, respectively. Both the age distribution and the distribution between main areas are similar to the acoustic observations (Tables 6. and 6.). The time series (98) is shown in table 6.7. The indices for 997 and 998 are adjusted the same way as the acoustic indices to also represent the Russian EEZ. The results for age is the lowest observed since the survey area was extended in 99, and the result for age and is 6% and 7%, respectively, of the 99 average. The indices for age groups 7 are at or below the 99 average, while for older fish the indices are well below the 99 average. 8

76 75 99 9999 > Drift Iceborder Area covered 7 7 7 7 7 69 68 8 6 8 6 5 5 Figure 6.7. COD < cm. Distribution in the trawl catches winter (number per hour trawling). 76 75 99 999 > Drift Iceborder Area covered 7 7 7 7 7 69 68 8 6 8 6 5 5 Figure 6.8. COD cm. Distribution in the trawl catches winter (number per hour trawling). 9

76 75 99 999 > Drift Iceborder Area covered 7 7 7 7 7 69 68 8 6 8 6 5 5 Figure 6.9. COD 59 cm. Distribution in the trawl catches winter (number per hour trawling). 76 99 > Drift Iceborder Area covered 75 7 7 7 7 7 69 68 8 6 8 6 5 5 Figure 6.. COD? 5 cm. Distribution in the trawl catches winter (number per hour trawling).

Table 6.. COD. Abundance indices (I) at length with standard error of mean (S) from bottom trawl hauls for main areas of the Barents Sea winter (no. in millions). Area Length A B C D D' E S Total cm I S I S I S I S I S I S I S I S CV (%) 59 59 59 59 59 55 5559 66 6569 77 7579 88 8589 >9.6..9.7..8.8.9.7 5....6.7.5.7......5.5.5....8....7..9....9.......6.6...5.7....8..9.6.....6.........8....7 9 5.5.5 6.7 69. 7.8.6.9.9 5..5..9...9..9....6 5.9.9...6... 5. 56.7 5.6 8. 5.9 7. 5.9.6.7.. 6. 6.6.5..9..5..8...8 7.6..7.8 6. 8.8.7.5.8....8..5......6..5.6...5. 7.5 66.5 5..6.8.. 8.9.9.8 6..7.9.9..5.5..5 5. 5.6 7..9.7.5..8.5. 8.5 59.5. 6. 5.8 97.. 8 59.9 6. 8.7 9..7 6.5.5...6 7. 6 5.7 5.9 7...6 8. 5.5.5.5.7..7... 8.7.8.7.8... 9. 9.7 8.6 8.8 8... 5. 8.5 6. Sum 5...5... 6.5 8..7 7.6 9.8..8 8.5.6 65.5 5.

Table 6.5. COD. Abundance indices at length and age from the bottom trawl survey in the Barents Sea winter (numbers in millions). Age (yearclass) Length 5 6 7 8 9 Sum (cm) () (99) (98) (97) (96) (95) (9) (9) (9) 59 59 59 59 59 55 5559 66 6569 77 7579 88 8589 >9 8.5 59.5 6.9....7.8.6 8.6 6.6 7... 9. 69..5 8.9.9..6.8 9. 5....6. 7.8.7 9.6.5....6.7.8........ 8.5 59.5. 6. 5.8 97.. 8 59.9 5.6 8.7 9..7 6.5.5...6 Sum 657.9 76.6 9. 8.8 8. 8. 8.9....6 Table 6.6. COD. Abundance indices from bottom trawl hauls for main areas of the Barents Sea winter (numbers in millions.) Age (yearclass) Area 5 6 7 8 9 Total () (99) (98) (97) (96) (95) (9) (9) (9) A.9..7 7. 9.5 8... 5. B.9.5...5.7..5 C..7. 6.9 5.8..7. D.9...9.9 9..8.. 6.5 D' 7.9..6.8.9..7 E 5. 5...9 6. 5.9. 9.8 S 8.7 5.7 9. 5..8 7.6...8 ABCD 5.8 56..5.9 56..7 6.5.9. 9. Total 657.9 76.6 9. 8.8 8. 8. 8.9....6

Table 6.7. COD. Abundance indices from bottom trawl surveys in the Barents Sea winter 98 (numbers in millions). 9899 includes only main areas A, B, C and D). Age Year 5 6 7 8 9 Total 98 98 98 98 985 986.6.8 5.9 755. 9.5 665.8..9. 79. 66. 99.6 6. 8. 5. 97.5 66.8 85.. 7.7 5. 8. 6..9..6.. 9.9 6. 8. 5.5 7..7 7.7 8..8 6. 5.8...9............. 6. 6..9 97.7.6 89. 987.7 5.. 9. 5. 5.7..5.. 79.8 988. 7.8 8. 8.5 7..5.6.5.. 5.5 989 8. 5.6 6. 75.9 7.8 9. 9.8.9 85. 99 7. 56.7 8..9.6.6 7..6...5 99 6.5 5.9.7 5.7.5..7.6. 8.7 99 6.6 57.9 58. 57.7 7.8.8 7.7..7. 959. 99 5.5. 7.9 7.5 5.8 6..9.. 7.9 99 5.9 55.8 96.5. 7. 5.6 9...6. 9. 995 55. 5.5 7.6. 55.9 76.7 8.5..8. 6666. 996 5768.5 77.6 7. 5. 7. 6...9..5 7.5 997 998 85.5 8.5 5. 6.7 8. 96. 6. 8. 7. 6.5 5.7 5.9 8. 7.8 5.7 8.6.9..5.5 6. 79.8 999 8.6.8 7. 58.. 6.5 5... 9. 8.8 8. 5.. 8. 6.9.... 887.5 657.9 76.6 9. 8.8 8. 8. 8.9....6 ) Indices raised to also represent the Russian EEZ. 6. Growth Table 6.8 and 6. show length and weight by age for each main area. In most years the largest fish at age has been observed in the southwestern main areas (A, B and C). This pattern was less evident in. For the oldest fish there are few observations in some of the areas, and those mean lengths and weights are therefore more uncertain. Tables 6.9 and 6. present the time series (978) for mean length and weight at age for the entire investigated area. Mean length and weight for ages and showed a considerable increase from to, and for older fish there is a moderate increase. Weights at age have been fairly low in the period 995, but seem now to approach the values observed in 99. The annual weight increments observed over the last year are comparable to those observed between 99 and 99 (Table 6.).

Table 6.8. COD. Length (cm) at age in main areas of the Barents Sea winter. Age (yearclass) Area () (99) (98) (97) 5 (96) 6 (95) 7 (9) 8 (9) A.5.7.. 5. 6.8 7. 76.7 B.9. 7. 7. 57.8 66. 7.9 8. C.6. 5.. 5.8 6. 7.8 8.7 D.8..9.8 5. 6. 7. 8. D.9...8 6. 6.7 77. 98. E.5... 5. 6. 69. S.5..8.7 5. 6. 69.7 78. Total..5..6 5. 6. 7. 79. Table 6.9. COD. Length (cm) at age in the Barents Sea from the investigations winter 978. Age Year 5 6 7 8 978 979 98 98 98 98 98 985 986 987 988 989 99 99 99 99 99 995 996..8 7.6 7..8.8. 6.5.9.9 5..5..6....7.6..9.8 6. 5.8 7.6 8..7.6.. 5. 7.9 7..9. 8. 8.7 9.6... 5.5 7.6.8 5.8...8 9.7.7 9..6. 5.9.5 9.9 8. 5.9..5.7 6. 5.9 8.6 8.7 9.9. 8.7 9.9 7. 5.7 9.9 5.8.7.. 5. 5. 5.5 5. 5.7 5.5 56.6 6. 59.8 56. 7.6 6.8 5.8 59.5 6. 59. 55. 5. 9. 6.6 6. 6.5 6. 6. 6.7 66. 7. 69. 66. 56.8 56. 6.6 67. 68. 68. 6. 6. 6. 67.6 7.7 7.6 69.6 7.8 7. 7. 8. 8. 77.6 7.7 67. 68. 7. 76. 76.8 7.5 7.8 7. 76.9 8. 8.6 77.9 8.9 78.6 79.7 85.7 9.8 87.9 79. 8. 79. 77.6 8.8 85.8 8. 8.6 85. 997 998..9 8.8 7. 8. 8.7.. 9.9 5.5 59. 58.9 69. 67.5 8.6 76. 999. 8.8 9..6 5.6 59.9 7. 78... 8.7 9.7 5.5 6.6 7.5 75.7..5..6 5. 6. 7. 79. ) Adjusted lengths (Mehl 999)

Table 6.. COD. Weight (g) at age in main areas of the Barents Sea winter. Age (yearclass) Area () (99) (98) (97) 5 (96) 6 (95) 7 (9) 8 (9) A B C D D' E S 6 7 97 8 97 97 6 8 5 88 5 66 8 5 5 756 959 79 679 79 6 58 79 9 89 956 6 59 5 7 88 96 98 9 7 78 5 86 95 65 786 55 Total 8 66 57 86 5 6 Table 6.. COD. Weight (g) at age in the Barents Sea from the investigations winter 98. Age Year 5 6 7 8 98 98 985 986 987 988 989 99 99 99 99 99 995 996 6 6 8 9 6 5 9 9 7 9 65 58 7 96 6 7 55 5 6 7 576 77 7 58 85 69 5 59 8 9 55 997 9 9 6 9 6 8 79 788 65 66 597 86 9 6 8 89 97 5 67 9 7 68 5 6 79 5 96 65 55 977 86 79 7 999 8 777 55 88 97 58 89 557 9 977 55 8 758 566 65 785 7 96 5 5 57 5758 98 7 55 997 998 5 7 66 579 5 79 7 85 589 999 55 9 6 6 865 98 99 7 77 559 89 978 989 797 8 66 57 86 5 6 76 9 ) Estimated weights ) Adjusted weights (Mehl 999) 5

Table 6.. COD. Yearly weight increment (g) from the investigations in the Barents Sea winter 98. Year 5 56 67 78 Age 988 9885 98586 98687 98788 98889 9899 999 999 999 999 9995 99596 99697 99798 99899 999 8 9 7 8 5 6 6 9 5 5 6 86 57 6 76 6 588 79 88 9 56 5 77 7 55 6 78 58 6 6 65 78 56 7 95 88 96 66 7 5 88 86 6 8 55 8 58 58 65 89 57 9 76 59 58 585 698 96 57 97 677 55 6 7 75 8 9 75 66 77 6 7 87 997 5 85 7 97 9 58 7 85 6 5 85 799 9 67 75 77 7 866 85 67 57 85 9 58 7 79 86 7 6. Considerations and conclusion When using the abundance indices for stock assessment it is important to be aware of all the technical changes introduced during the time series. Better acoustic equipment after 99 has increased the quality of the indices for all age groups. The survey area was enlarged in 99. This led to higher indices, especially for the youngest age groups, and the indices also became more accurate all over. The introduction of more fine meshed codends in 99 and fish length dependent fishing width of the trawl (the time series is adjusted for this) did also lead to more small fish relative to larger fish. Table 6. gives the time series of survey based mortalities (log ratios between survey indices of the same year class in two successive years) since 99. These mortalities are influenced both by natural and fishing mortality, as well as the true catchability at age for the survey. In the period 99999 there was an increasing trend in the survey mortalities. The trend appears most consistent for the age groups 7 in the swept area estimates. The two latest surveys indicate that since 999 the mortalities have decreased, at least for ages. Presumably the mortality of the youngest age groups (ages ) is mainly caused by predation, 6

while for the older age groups it is mainly caused by the fishery. The survey mortalities for age and older are well above the mortalites estimated in the ICES assessment. Decreasing survey catchability at increasing age could be one reason for this. Another possible reason could be that the assessment does not include all sources of mortality, like discards, unreported catches, or poorly quantified predation. The observed mortality rates in the acoustic investigations have been more variable. This is explained by changes in fish behaviour and how available the fish is for acoustic registration. During the winter survey 998 the relative abundance of cod in the bottom channel was lower than the years before, and hence the fish were more available for acoustic registration. This led to lower mortality rates of all year classes from 997 to 998 in the acoustic series compared with the swept area series. A similar situation is observed in compared with 999. Table 6.. Total mortality observed for cod during the winter survey in the Barents Sea in 99.. Year 5 56 67 78 89 Age Acoustic investigations 999 9995 99596 99697 99798 99899 999.6.8..7.9..8.88.5..5.59....7.78.86.59..9.6.6..66.6.6...9.7.5...8.9...8 Bottom trawl investigations.5.....66.7.5.78.75.79.6.9.88..9.8.67.95.9.86.8.. 999 9995 99596 99697 99798 99899 999..65..7..96.67.5.5.67.6.9.97..7.6..87.98.7.8.7.5.5 9.57.9.56..7.6.6.65.88.96...77..5..6..9.8...95.5.85..9.5.8.6.89..79.7.7.97.5.6 7

7. DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF HADDOCK The survey does not cover the total distribution of this stock. An unknown, but presumably low, proportion of the stock is distributed to the southwest of the area surveyed, and in addition there are indications that the distribution of age groups and in some years are concentrated in coastal areas not well covered by the survey. 7. Acoustic estimation The acoustic observations of haddock are uncertain, because large amounts may hide in the bottom dead zone. It is rather common, particularly in shallow waters, to have good bottom trawl catches of haddock in cases when the acoustic recordings are very low. This year small haddock was widely distributed, and was found unusually far to the north. This might be caused by rather favourably hydrographic conditions far to the north (Figure.). Table 7. shows the acoustic abundance indices by length and age, and table 7. presents the indices by age within the main areas for the pelagic layer and the bottom layer. As in most of the previous years the highest abundance was observed in main area D. The time series (98), with adjusted indices for 997 and 998, is presented in table 7.. The indices for ages, and are all above the 99 average, while the indices are well below this average for all older age groups. 8

Table 7.. HADDOCK. Abundance indices at length and age from the acoustic survey in the Barents Sea winter (numbers in millions). Age (yearclass) Length 5 6 7 8 9 Sum (cm) () (99) (98) (97) (96) (95) (9) (9) (9) 59 59 59 59 59 55 5559 66 6569 77 7579 88 8589 >9.7 97.5 7. 6..7 95. 85..6. 5. 85.5 6..6 5. 6.5.6..5.9 7.8 7.9...7.5...7 97.5 55.8 5. 9.5 9.5 7.9. 8.6 9.5..6 Sum 976.5 5.6 9.6..6..9.5 59. Table 7.. HADDOCK. Acoustic abundance indices in the pelagic layer (P) and in the m layer above the bottom (B) for the main areas of the Barents Sea winter (numbers in millions). Area Layer () A P 68. B. B P 57.8 B 65.5 C P. B. D P.7 B 5. D' P 8.9 B. E P. B. S P. B.5 ABCD P 56.6 B 66. Total P 586. B 9. Sum 976.5 (99)..7....7 8.7 89..9.6..8.. 8. 6.9 9..5 5.6 (98)..9 8. 8.6..7 88. 7.. 7.5....5.8 8.. 95.7 9.6 Age (yearclass) 5 6 (97) (96) (95).8..9.8.......6.8.8. 9.......5.6...6..5.7.7..6..6. 7 (9).....9 8 (9) 9 (9) Total 95.9 6. 8. 9.8 7.8 5.6 666.9 9.6..5..5 5.6 8.. 87.8. 589.. 96.7. 6.5.5 59. 9

Table 7.. HADDOCK. Abundance indices from acoustic surveys in the Barents Sea winter 98 (numbers in millions). 9899 includes mainly areas A, B, C and D. Age Year 5 6 7 8 9 Total 98 7 98 9 98 98 685 985 5 986 556 987 85 988 8 989 5 99 7 99 89 99 5 99 97 99 56 995 79 996 9 997 69 998 5 7 776 66 7 5 5 5 868 66 9 85 9 5 6 5 5 9 8 6 5 56 55 6 5 5 89 7 8 6 7 6 5 6 87 76 8 7 7 5 6 8 6 6 8 8 867 56 6 7 6 7 5 65 8 76 788 8 5 6 999 856 6 57 99 59 65 9 66 976 6 59 ) Indices raised to also represent the Russian EEZ.. 885 7 7. Swept area estimation Figs. 7. 7. show the geographic distribution of bottom trawl catch rates (number of fish per naut.mile, corresponding to hours towing) for haddock for each of the size groups < cm, cm, 59 cm and > 5 cm. It is seen that, compared to the previous years, the distribution extends further to the north, especially for the size groups < cm and cm. Table 7. presents the abundance indices by length groups for each main area. Standard error and coefficient of variation (CV) are also given. The CVs for haddock are generally higher than those for cod. Within the size range 59 cm all CVs are below 8%. Table 7.5 show the abundance indices by age and length groups, and table 7.6 presents the indices for each age group by main areas. The time series (98) is shown in table 7.7. The indices for 997 and 998 are adjusted the same way as for cod to also represent the Russian EEZ. The

swept area results show the same pattern as the acoustic results; ages above the 99 average and older ages well below. 99 999 > Drift Iceborder Area covered 8 6 8 6 5 5 Figure 7.7. HADDOCK < cm. Distribution in the trawl catches winter (number per hour trawling). 76 75 99 999 > Drift Iceborder Area covered 7 7 7 7 7 69 68 8 6 8 6 5 5 Figure 7.8. HADDOCK cm. Distribution in the trawl catches winter (number per hour trawling).

76 99 > Drift Iceborder Area covered 75 7 7 7 7 7 69 68 8 6 8 6 5 5 Figure 7.9. HADDOCK 59 cm. Distribution in the trawl catches winter (number per hour trawling). 76 99 > Drift Iceborder Area covered 75 7 7 7 7 7 69 68 8 6 8 6 5 5 Figure 7.. HADDOCK > 5 cm. Distribution in the trawl catches winter (number per hour trawling).

Table 7.. HADDOCK. Abundance indices (I) at length with standard error of mean (S) from bottom trawl hauls for main areas of the Barents Sea winter (no. in mill). Area Length A B C D D' E S Total cm I S I S I S I S I S I S I S I S CV (%) 59 59 59 59 59 55 5559 66 6569 77 7579 88 8589 >9 6.9 5.5 9.8 6.7.7.5.6..9.8 6. 6.7...6...... 9.9.9 6....8.5..8.9 9.9..5.7....6. 5.8 5.7.6.9.5.9.6.... 5.9.6......8 558.6...5 86. 78..5 6..9.8..8 98.8 6.6 9. 7.6..7.8.7.6.. Sum 77.9 8. 9..8 9. 6.9 5.9 7.8 7.7 8.8.6. 67...7. 6.5 6. 8. 8.5. 5.7 6.... 5.9. 8.7.6..6.7..6..9.5... 5...9..9 7. 6.6.7...5.8 666. 68.9 65.6 8.8. 8. 5.9 9.9 8.6.7.6.8 99.5 66. 9. 9. 7.9 5.5.9.8.9....9..8 6..6. 7.9 7.7.8.7 8.5.8 5.8 7.

Table 7.5. HADDOCK. Abundance indices at length and age from the bottom trawl survey in the Barents Sea winter (numbers in millions). Age (yearclass) Length 5 6 7 8 9 Sum (cm) () (99) (98) (97) (96) (95) (9) (9) (9) 59 59 59 59 59 55 5559 66 6569 77 7579.8 666. 56.5.8.5 56. 98.5. 6. 8.. 9.8.7. 6..5 7.7.7... 8.7 7....5.8....8 666. 68.9 65.6 8.8. 8. 5.9 9.9 8.6.7.6 Sum 6.5 6. 97. 9. 5..7.9..7 Table 7.6 HADDOCK. Abundance indices from bottom trawl hauls for main areas of the Barents Sea winter (numbers in millions).. Age (yearclass) Area () (99) (98) (97) 5 (96) 6 (95) 7 (9) 8 (9) 9 (9) Total A. 5. 8.8.... 77.9 B 6.5....7.. 9. C 8. 6.... 9. D 9.9 6..7.5.9.. 5.9 D'.9. 65.8.7 7.7 E.8.6..6 S 8.7.8 6. 67. ABCD..7.5.6 5..6.8. 96.8 Total 6.5 6. 97. 9. 5..7.9..7

Table 7.7. HADDOCK. Abundance indices from bottom trawl surveys in the Barents Sea winter 98 (numbers in millions). 9899 includes only main areas A, B, C and D. Year 5 6 7 8 9 Total 98. 98.9 98 99. 98 8.6 985 9. 986 665. 987 6.8 988 5. 989 8. 99 6. 99 6. 99 659. 99 77.9 99 6. 995 6.6 996 9.5 997 68. 998.9 7..5.8 5.6 59.8 7. 79.9 5. 9.5 5.6. 75.5 599. 8. 79. 6.6 67.9..7. 8.9 75.9 8.6 5. 5...5. 5.5 57.7 9.5 5.6 5.5 86. 7.8.8..5.7.8 9. 68.9.6. 5.. 5.6 6.6 7. 8. 8..8.9.9.8.5.6 5.9 6.. 5....5 9.7 9.5 8.6 9. Age 5..8.9..5...8.7 9..7.6.6..5 5.8 6.7.5..5...8.7.7...8.6 6....7....8..6...9.5..........................6.. 6. 6. 95.5 69. 987. 5.9 7.6 75. 96.5 7.5 57.7 7. 95. 66.5.6 87.6 58.8. 7.9.7... 8. 8..7 999.9 57.6 59.8...8..7.. 9. 87. 5. 7. 5. 8...8..7. 76.6 6.5 6. 97. 9. 5..7.9..7 ) Indices raised to also represent the Russian EEZ. 7. Growth Mean length and weight at age for each main area are shown in table 7.8 and 7.. For some age groups mean length and weight at age are greatest in the east. The time series (98, tables 7.9 and 7.), with adjusted values for 997 and 998, shows that the slightly increasing trend over the years 997 has stopped, and for several age groups a decrease was observed in.

Table 7.8. HADDOCK. Length (cm) at age in main areas of the Barents Sea winter. Age (yearclass) Area () (99) (98) (97) 5 (96) 6 (95) 7 (9) 8 (9) A B C D D' E S 5.5 5.9 5...9.8 5....7..7..8 9.5 8.8...6 7..7. 8.6. 8. 5..6 5. 5. 9..9 5. 5. 5.6 5. 56. 5.6 5. 56. 59.5 55.7 56. 59.9 57.5 5. 6. 6. Total.6.. 7.8 7. 5. 58.6 5.9 Table 7.9. HADDOCK. Length (cm) at age in the Barents Sea from the investigations winter 98. ) Age Year 5 6 7 98 98 985 986 987 988 989 99 99 99 99 99 995 996 6.8 6.6 5.7 5. 5..5 6. 5.7 6.8 5..5.7 5. 5. 5. 7.5.9.....7..9...6.9.7 5.6.5 9. 8.7..7 5.7.9.8 9.7 8.7 8.6.7.9. 7..7 6.5.. 5.5. 8.5. 7.8 5.5 56.6 58.5 5.6 6.5.5.7 6. 5. 5. 5.6 7.8.8. 58. 6. 6.9 7.9 6. 5 5.8 59. 56. 5. 5. 6.7 6. 6.8 6.9 5.6 5.9 5. 55.6 6.6 59. 56.9 55.8 55. 997 998 6....9 7.7 9. 5. 5.8 9.7. 7.5 8. 5 5.9 999.7.8. 9. 5.5 5. 5.6 5.8.5..6 7.7 5.8 5..6.. 7.8 7. 5. 58.6 Adjusted lengths Justerte lengder Table 7.. HADDOCK. Weight (g) at age in main areas of the Barents Sea winter.. Age (yearclass) Area () (99) (98) (97) 5 (96) 6 (95) 7 (9) 8 (9) A B C D D' E S 9 6 9 79 89 87 8 5 5 8 6 6 75 9 68 6 785 568 5 69 9 98 7 69 7 9 76 6 879 79 9 79 89 75 95 Total 8 6 7 557 9 7 76 6

Table 7.. HADDOCK. Weight (g) at age in the Barents Sea from the investigations winter 98. ) ) Age Year 5 6 7 98 98 985 986 987 988 989 99 99 99 99 99 995 996 5 6 5 7 6 5 96 8 9 9 5 8 8 6 9 86 7 9 8 89 7 9 6 57 9 7 5 96 7 7 5 8 85 88 99 766 55 86 55 6 8 97 9 7 7 986 59 67 8 765 7 8 56 57 9 95 76 6 85 569 86 6 59 569 99 56 88 7 66 78 6 78 997 998 5 5 88 9 7 65 76 6 69 999 7 85 6 97 9 66 8 69 7 68 8 6 7 557 9 7 Estimated weights Adjusted weights 86 Table 7.. HADDOCK. Yearly weight increment (g) from the investigations in the Barents Sea winter 98. Year 5 56 67 Age 988 9885 98586 98687 98788 98889 9899 999 999 999 999 9995 99596 99697 99798 99899 999 65 5 5 95 6 6 6 6 58 77 6 8 7 56 6 7 7 7 9 5 8 57 8 9 7 5 8 9 8 69 5 55 5 9 7 8 6 7 9 7 7 87 88 767 6 89 5 685 587 69 75 55 7 6 77 6 8 865 77 59 69 56 7 5 8 5 5 5 5 78 9 7 59 6 5 5 58 6 75 96 7 77 7 6 7 7

7. Conclusion Survey mortalities based on the acoustic indices (tables 7.) have varied between years, and for most age groups there are no obvious trend. Mortalities based on the swept area indices show a decreasing trend since 998 (table 7.). Concerning the abundance indices it can be concluded that the recruitment to the stock is improving. The year classes 998, 999 and are above average. The indices for the older age groups are, however, rather low. Mean lengths and weights at age were close to previous year s values. Table 7.. Total mortality observed for haddock during the winter survey in the Barents Sea for the period 99. Year 5 56 67 78 Age Acoustic investigations 999 9995 99596 99697 99798 99899 999.59.68.8..7.59.5.8.9.68.87.5 8.76.6.89.8 5.95.6.. 6.9.8.95.5.69.8.8.8.97.9.57.88...9 Bottom trawl investigations.79.66.6..6.69..9.99.87. 999 9995 99596 99697 99798 99899 999.6..7.5....6.57.5....8.75. 5.69.6.95.6.5.8.75.5.9.75.8.7...7.9.6.7.55.9.6. 9.9..76..5.9.9....55..8 8

8. DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF REDFISH 8. Acoustic estimation Fig. 8. shows the geographic distribution of combined echo abundance of the three redfish species golden redfish (Sebastes marinus), deepsea redfish (S. mentella) and smaller redfish (S. viviparus). The distribution pattern was similar to recent years. 76 75 9.9.9.9 5.99.9 Drift Iceborder Area covered 7 7 7 7 7 69 68 8 6 8 6 5 5 Figure 8.. REDFISH. Distribution of total echo abundance winter. Unit is area back scattering surface (s A ) per square nautical mile (m /n.mile ). Table 8. shows the acoustic indices for S. marinus by lengthgroups and main areas. 8% of the fish were recorded in area ABCD. In the time series (table 8.), the indices for 997 and 998 are adjusted based on data from 996 and 999 to take account of the Russian EEZ. In recent years it has been observed few S. marinus in the eastern Barents Sea, and in 996 and 999 the Norwegian EEZ accounted for about 9% of the total S. marinus acoustic value. The adjustments of the indices for 997 and 998 are therefore more precise for S. marinus than for cod and haddock. The total index is low, only 5% of the 99999 average, and there are no signs of improved recruitment. 9

Table 8.. SEBASTES MARINUS. Acoustic abundance indices for main areas of the Barents Sea winter (numbers in millions). Length group (cm) Area 59 59 59 >5 Total A B C D D' E S.......5.7.6...5........8...8...8.. 8. 9..8 8...9 ABCD..6.. 5.9 6. 5.. 6. Total..6.7 5.6 7. 6.5 5.6.8.5 Table 8.. SEBASTES MARINUS. Abundance indices from acoustic surveys in the Barents Sea winter 986 (numbers in millions). 98699 includes only the area covered in 986. Length group (cm) Year 59 59 59 >5 Total 986 987 988 989 99 99 99 99 99 995 996 6 5 5 7 7 6 7 5 7 6 5 9 9 5 5 9 8 8 9 9 5 5 6 9 7 5 6 8 5 6 5 7 5 8 6 7 7 6 8 55 5 6 5 58 86 9 77 997 998 8 9 9 9 6 6 56 6 999 ) Indeksar oppjusterte til også å omfatta russisk sone. 5 6 6 7 6 7 6 5 The acoustic index for S. mentella by main area (table 8.) show that main area A and S contributed most to the total value. Main area S represented 7% of the total estimate and the value is considerably higher compared to last year. In 996 and 999, % and 96%, respectively, of the total index was registered in the Norwegian EEZ and at Svalbard (S). Accordingly, only minor adjustments were therefore necessary to take account of the lack of coverage in the Russian EEZ in 997 and 998 (table 8.). For the length groups between and cm the acoustic index in is higher than in. The indices for smaller fish are among the lowest observed. 5

Table 8.. SEBASTES MENTELLA. in millions). Acoustic abundance indices for main areas of the Barents Sea winter (numbers Length group (cm) Area 59 59 59 >5 Total A B C D D' E S 7.7. 5.9...5.6.6..5 6.7..8 5..5. 7.9.5.5.8 5. 65.... 6.5 7.... 7..5...7 9.6.7 8..9 6. ABCD 5. 6.8 7. 9.7 7. 8.7.6. 7. Total..5 5.8 5.9.8 6... 5. ) Includes unidentified Sebastes specimens, mostly less than 5 cm. Table 8.. SEBASTES MENTELLA. Abundance indices from acoustic surveys in the Barents Sea winter 988 (numbers in millions).) 98699 includes only the area covered in 986. Length group (cm) (Year) 59 59 59 >5 Total 986 987 988 989 99 99 99 99 99 995 996 8 7 5 77 59 86 56 687 8 7 5 78 6 88 7 599 99 565 8 86 75 89 88 8 5 6 7 75 8 8 8 8 9 6 8 7 78 9 8 8 8 5 9 7 9 6 87 67 6 8 7 997 998 67 79 9 98 65 68 5 5 5 67 66 999 8 5 8 7 9 87 7 8 7 55 6 6 6 5 ) ) Includes unidentified Sebastes specimens, mostly less than 5 cm. Indices raised to also represent the the Russian EEZ. As in previous years, most of the S. viviparus are recorded in main areas A and B (table 8.5). The survey covers only the northern margin of this species geographical distribution. Large variation in the indices from year to year is therefore likely due to variable area coverage in the south western part of the survey area and due to a very patchy distribution. 5

Table 8.5. SEBASTES VIVIPARUS. Acoustic abundance indices for main areas of the Barents Sea winter (numbers in millions). Length group (cm) Area 59 59 > Total A B C D D' E S.7.. 5....8 7. 5..7.6.6..7...5.7 ABCD. 9.5... 8.5 Total...9.. 5. Table 8.6. SEBASTES VIVIPARUS. Abundance indices from acoustic surveys in the Barents Sea winter 986 (numbers in millions). 98699 includes only the area covered in 986. Length group (cm) Year 59 59 > Total 986 987 988 989 99 99 99 99 99 995 996 997 998 999 6 7 7 5 7 9 6 8 5 9 5 6 8 5 5 6 7 8 7 6 5 7 7 8 75 6 6 7 5 9 5 5

8. Swept area estimation The swept area time series for redfish (tables 8.9, 8. and 8.) are based on catch data from trawls with bobbins gear until 988 inclusive, and rockhopper gear since 989. The time series has not been adjusted for this change. Fig. 8. shows the horizontal distribution of S. marinus during the swept area investigation. The distribution is very similar to. Table 8.7 presents indices with standard error for each main area in addition to the coefficient of variation for the total. 76 99 > Drift Iceborder Area covered 75 7 7 7 7 7 69 68 8 6 8 6 5 5 Figure 8.. SEBASTES MARINUS. Distribution in the trawl catches winter (number per hour trawling). The time series for 986 (table 8.9), with adjusted indices for 997 and 998, shows historic low indices for most of the lengthgroups, and the lowest total index ever observed. There are no signs of improved recruitment. 5

Table 8.7. SEBASTES MARINUS. Abundance indices (I) at length with standard error of mean (S) from bottom trawl hauls for main areas of the Barents Sea winter (numbers in millions). Area Length A B C D D' E S Total cm I S I S I S I S I S I S I S I S CV (%) 59 59..5.....5......7 6.6. 5.9 7. 59 59 > 5.....7.8..6..6...8.7....6.6......5.....5. 5.8 5.5.5..6.9.7.9.7...5.7 5.7.5 Sum.. 7.9.6.6 8.5.8..9.7.7 5.6 Table 8.8. SEBASTES MENTELLA. Abundance indices (I) at length with standard error of mean (S) from bottom trawl hauls for main areas of the Barents Sea winter (numbers in millions). Area Length A B C D D' E S Total cm I S I S I S I S I S I S I S I S CV (%) 59.5.7....9.. 9..5 6. 59 59 59 > 5.. 9. 5. 5. 5...7.5 5. 7.9.5....8.7..9.8.6.9.. 7.6..7...9.5.. 7..8 5.6.7.6...8...6..5..5... 6.6. 6.9. 7....5.6 6. 5.6.8.5 7. 5.9 77. 7. 9..6.. 7.6.6.8.5. 5. 5.7.9.8 8.8 5.8 7. 7.5 Sum 9.9 5.8.. 7..9..7.5. 66. 9.7 5. 9. 7.6 ) Includes unidentified Sebastes specimens, mostly less than 5 cm.

Table 8.9. SEBASTES MARINUS. Abundance indices from bottom trawl surveys in the Barents Sea winter 986 (numbers in millions). 98699 includes only main areas A, B, C and D. Length group (cm) Year 59 59 59 59 > 5 Total 986 987 988 989 99 99 99 99 99 995 996. 7.7. 8.7 9...8.7.6.7.7 5.6.9 5..6.9. 6.5 5..7 6..8 5.5. 6.5 8. 7.7.5 9...5. 7.7..8 9. 9..6 6.9.7.5 6. 7.7 6..6 5.9 5.5 8. 9.7..5 9. 9... 7... 6..7.5 9. 5.9.7.8.8 5. 6.6 8..8.5.5 9. 7. 6.6..8..8. 6. 6.6 8.6..9 7.9.6..7... 5.8 6..8.7.9 8 59 75 5 9 6 75 88 6 997 998..5 6..5.5..5 6.6 9.5. 5. 8.. 8. 6.9.. 7 6 999..5.9...5...6.7 6. 5. 6..5 5..8..... 5.8 5.5.5..6 ) Indices raised to also represent the Russian EEZ. The mapping of the distribution of S. mentella is not complete in the north western part of the surveyed area due to this species extensive distribution further north in the Svalbard area, west and north of Spitsbergen. The coverage was nevertheless more complete than before (fig. 8.). Table 8.8 presents the swept area indices with corresponding standard errors for each main area in addition to the coefficient of variation of the total. The time series for 986, with adjusted indices for 997 and 998, is presented in table 8.. Similar to the acoustic abundance indices, the swept area indices for S. mentella in show for most size groups a decrease compared to last year. The indices for small fish are the lowest observed. The index for S. mentella smaller than 5 cm is only about % (!) of the 99999 average. The future of the S. mentella stock is relying on the survival of the last good year classes born in 98999 before the recruitment collapse in 99. These year classes, at present about cm, compose the bulk of the stock, and should be protected as much as possible if we want to improve the recruitment to maintain a fishery on this resource in the future.

76 75 99 999 > Drift Iceborder Area covered 7 7 7 7 7 69 68 8 6 8 6 5 5 Figure 8.. SEBASTES MENTELLA. Distribution in the trawl catches winter (number per hour trawling). Table 8.. SEBASTES MENTELLA. Abundance indices from bottom trawl surveys in the Barents Sea winter 986 (numbers in millions). 98699 includes only main areas A, B, C and D. Length group (cm) Year 59 59 59 59 > 5 Total 986 987 988 989 99 99 99 99 99 995 996 8. 7.8 587. 6.9.6 95. 9..8 6.9 6.7. 5.9 5. 5. 55..5 8.8 66.5 59.7 58.6 7.. 5. 7..6 8. 6. 86. 7.. 89. 67.8 9. 87.7 56. 8. 77. 55.9 8.9.6 6. 8. 55.8 7.6 69..6 9.6 58. 8. 95.6 55.. 5. 9.8. 9.8. 5 9..9.8. 5. 69.8 68.8.9 87.5 5. 7.9 8..5. 7.5 6. 9.9. 6.6.6..6.9.5.5.8...9..8....5.5. 95 7 96 8 867 7 979 67 7 997 998 6...9 88..8 6.5 78.. 7.8. 7.9. 9.8.9 5... 875 5 999. 9. 6.8.7 68. 9. 6.8 76.8 67..9 7. 97.. 6.6. 6.9.5 7 9..5 7. 5.9 77. 7. 9..6 5 ) ) Includes unidentified Sebastes specimens, mostly less than 5 cm. Indices raised to also represent the Russian EEZ. 56

S. viviparus was mainly observed in main area B (table 8.). The time series 986 of the swept area indices are shown in (table 8.). Table 8.. SEBASTES VIVIPARUS. Abundance indices (I) at length with standard error of mean (S) from bottom trawl hauls for main areas of the Barents Sea winter (numbers in millions). Area Length A B C D S Total cm I S I S I S I S I S I S CV (%) 59 59 59.6.7.5...7.5....9 6.7 8...6 9.9.8.............8...8... 9.5.7.7.6.... 6.8.7.8 8.7 77.7 Sum 7..6 6.7..... 69.6 5..6 Table 8.. SEBASTES VIVIPARUS. Abundance indices from bottom trawl surveys in the Barents Sea winter 996 (numbers in millions). 98699 includes only the area covered in 986. Length group (cm) Area 59 59 59 > Total 986 987 988 989 99 99 99 99 99 995 996 997 998 999. 6.9.7..7 5. 8.6 8. 7.6.5.9.7.6.9...5 6. 7.8.7.6..7 6. 5. 5..8 9...8..8. 6. 6..7 6. 7. 7.7 5..9.5 8.5.7.5 6.5 9.5 6. 8... 9.9 6.8 6.9.5. 7.9 5. 8.5.6.9.7.7..9.6.9.. 5.... 5.5..9.7..7........ 6 5 8 55 97 55 9 9 76 75 7 66 7 57

9. DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF OTHER SPECIES 9. Greenland halibut Fig. 9. shows the horizontal distribution of Greenland halibut in the swept area investigations. Important parts of this species distribution, e.g., northern part of Svalbard and the continental slope, are not covered by the survey. The observed distribution pattern was similar to those observed in previous years surveys, i.e., mainly in the Bear Island channel towards the Hopen Deep. Table 9. presents the swept area indices with corresponding standard errors for each main area in addition to the coefficient of variation of the total. Most of the Greenland halibut was found in the northern main areas (D, E and S). For most length groups the coefficient of variation is higher than for cod and haddock. For each of the length groups between 5 and 6 cm the CVs are below %. The time series for 99, with indices adjusted for 997 and 998, is presented in table 9.. Compared to last year the indices for fish less than cm are lower, while those in the size range to 59 cm are higher. 76 99 > Drift Iceborder Area covered 75 7 7 7 7 7 69 68 8 6 8 6 5 5 Figure 9.. GREENLAND HALIBUT. Distribution in the trawl catches winter (number per hour trawling). 58

Table 9.. GREENLAND HALIBUT. Abundance indices (I) at length with standard error of mean (S) from bottom trawl hauls for main areas of the Barents Sea winter (numbers in thousands). Area Length A B C D D' E S ABCD Total cm I S I S I S I S I S I S I S I I S CV(%) 59 59 59 59 59 55 5559 66 6569 77 7579 > 8 9 9 8 9 6 9 9 6 6 9 6 88 6 9 7 7 7 9 96 5 9 7 7 8 7 6 6 6 5 8 7 8 7 9 7 8 7 9 9 9 5 66 97 759 57 78 5 95 5 9 9 9 7 9 7 6 8 7 9 5 6 9 55 8 76 76 77 8 7 8 5 9 55 9 6 5 7 8 68 9 7 6 79 7 7 6 775 65 86 8 68 9 9 78 68 5 78 58 6 99 8 5 8 5 9 8 5 76 6 5 8 8 6 8 77 9 8 77 88 7 7 5 6 7 8 5 8 6 7 Sum 78 6 99 9 8 89 5 668 576 55 57 55 6 Table 9.. GREENLAND HALIBUT. Abundance indices from the bottom trawl surveys in the Barents Sea winter 99 (numbers in thousands). 9999 includes only main areas A, B, C and D. Indices for 997 and 998 are raised to also represent the Russian EEZ. Length group (cm) Year < 59 59 59 59 55 5559 66 6569 77 7579 > 8 Total 99 99 99 99 99 995 996 997 9 99 5 65 777 6 6 7 6 785 68 9 67 99 5 655 59 65 8 6 7 657 868 8 959 9 9 7 89 95 96 65 8 6 858 7 866 9 969 998 8 7 6 5 6 888 6 977 75 6 7 76 999 8 6 7 576 6 757 76 69 6 77 8 9 7 8 59 8 859 75 8 9 599 75 6 56 75 6769 68 9 9 78 68 5 78 58 6 99 8 5 8 57 9 875 9 7 885 78 5 55 79 577 87 9 796 8 8 75 59 87 6 7 75 6 55 6 65 8 8 99 59 6 9 5 68 6 8 9 5 68 7 66 6 8 97 65 8 88 676 678 69 9765

9. Blue whiting Blue whiting had a wider distribution than usual, and the echo recordings also indicated unusual high abundance in the Barents sea. Figure 9. shows the geographical distribution of the bottom trawl catch rates of blue whiting. Since the fish was mainly found pelagic the bottom trawl do not reflect the real density distribution, but gives some indication of the distribution limits. Acoustic observations would better reflect the relative density distribution. The catches of blue whiting was dominated by small fish (5 cm), mainly the year class. 76 99 999 9999 > 75 Drift Iceborder Area covered 7 7 7 7 7 69 68 8 6 8 6 5 5 Figure 9.. BLUE WHITING. Distribution in the trawl catches winter (number per hour trawling). 6

. COMPARISONS BETWEEN RESEARCH VESSELS The vessels Persey and Johan Hjort made 6 parallel bottom trawl hauls for comparison in main area D. Catches by length groups for each haul and each vessel are shown for cod in table and for haddock in table.. At the comparative haul number Johan Hjort had considerably lower catch than Persey. Presumably this low catch by Johan Hjort was caused by large amounts of clay in the trawl. Figure is a scatter plot of the pairs of observations, and comparative haul number is shown by a separate symbol. Table Cod. Catch in numbers by length group in parallel tows for R/V Johan Hjort and R/V Persey. Length group Station Vessel 59 59 59 59 59 > 5 J.Hjort 5 7 6 5 9 Persey 9 9 6 6 69 68 J.Hjort 6 8 5 Persey 99 8 8 8 8 * J.Hjort 6 5 8 Persey 8 5 6 5 5 8 9 J.Hjort 8 8 5 57 7 9 Persey 5 6 8 9 5 7 5 J.Hjort 5 6 5 9 56 89 6 5 Persey 95 59 7 6 J.Hjort 8 6 9 9 5 5 6 Persey 9 7 Table. Haddock. Catch in numbers by length group in parallel tows for R/V Johan Hjort and R/V Persey. Length group Station Vessel 59 59 59 > J.Hjort 9 5 76 6 6 Persey 5 77 5 6 6 J.Hjort 6 7 Persey 9 6 8 67 5 * J.Hjort 9 58 6 8 5 Persey 95 86 6 6 8 J.Hjort 6 7 Persey 8 7 6 6 5 J.Hjort 7 9 76 7 6 5 Persey 5 7 5 8 7 6 J.Hjort 7 7 5 9 7 6 6 Persey 5 6 5 9 6

Cod<cm Haddock<cm Persey Persey 5 5 5 5 5 Johan Hjort Johan Hjort Cod>cm Haddock>cm 6 5 Persey Persey 5 6 Johan Hjort Johan Hjort Figure. Pairs of observed catch in numbers of cod and haddock in comparative hauls for R/V Johan Hjort and R/V Persey. The upper panels represent fish less than cm, the lower panels represent fish greater or equal to cm. Pair number is indicated by an open circle. Figure. shows the sum of the five hauls (excluding number ) for cod, and figure. shows the sum for haddock. For cod above 5 cm Persey gave the highest summed catch, while for cod below 5 cm Johan Hjort gave the highest. For haddock the ratio between the vessels varied between neighbouring length groups. Given the low number of hauls, these observations do not give evidence for any significant differences between the vessels. 6

Cod 7 6 Number of fish 5 J.Hjort Persey Figure.. Cod. Summed catch in numbers over 5 parallel hauls by R/V Johan Hjort and R/V Persey. Haddock 6 5 59 59 59 > 59 59 59 59 59 > 5 Length group (cm) Number of fish J.Hjort Persey Length group (cm) Figure.. Haddock. Summed catch in numbers over 5 parallel hauls by R/V Johan Hjort and R/V Persey. 6

. LITERATURE Anon. 998. Manual for bunnfiskundersøkelser i Barentshavet. Versjon..98. Seksjon Bunnfisk, Senter for Marine Ressurser, Havforskningsinstituttet. 7s. (upubl.). Aglen, A. and Nakken, O. 997. Improving time series of abundance indices applying new knowledge. Fisheries Research, : 76. Bogstad, B., Fotland, Å. and Mehl, S. 999. A revision of the abundance indices for cod and haddock from the Norwegian winter survey in the Barents Sea, 98999. Working Document, ICES Arctic Fisheries Working Group, August September 999. Dalen, J. and Nakken, O. 98. On the application of the echo integration method. ICES CM 98/B: 9, pp. Dalen, J. and Smedstad, O. 979. Acoustic method for estimating absolute abundance of young cod and haddock in the Barents Sea. ICES CM 979/G:5, pp. Dalen, J. and Smedstad, O. 98. Abundance estimation of demersal fish in the Barents Sea by an extended acoustic method. In Nakken, O. and S.C. Venema (eds.), Symposium on fisheries acoustics. Selected papers of the ICES/FAO Symposium on fisheries acoustics. Bergen, Norway, June 98. FAO Fish Rep., (): 9. Dickson, W. 99a. Estimation of the capture efficiency of trawl gear. I: Development of a theoretical model. Fisheries Research 6: 95. Dickson, W. 99b. Estimation of the capture efficiency of trawl gear. II: Testing a theoretical model. Fisheries Research 6: 557. Engås, A. 995. Trålmanual Campelen 8. Versjon, 7. januar 995, Havforskningsinstituttet, Bergen. 6 s. (upubl.). Engås, A. and Ona, E. 99. Experiences using the constraint technique on bottom trawl doors. ICES CM 99/B:8, pp. Foote, K.G. 987. Fish target strengths for use in echo integrator surveys. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 8: 98987. Fotland, Å., Borge, A., Gjøsæter, H., og Mjanger, H. 997. Håndbok for prøvetaking av fisk og krepsdyr. Versjon. januar 997. Havforskningsinstituttet, Bergen. 5s. Godø, O.R. and Sunnanå, K. 99. Size selection during trawl sampling of cod and haddock and its effect on abundance indices at age. Fisheries Research, : 9. Jakobsen, T., Korsbrekke, K., Mehl, S. and Nakken, O. 997. Norwegian combined acoustic and bottom trawl surveys for demersal fish in the Barents Sea during winter. ICES CM 997/Y: 7, 6 pp. 6

Korsbrekke, K. 996. Brukerveiledning for TOKT versjon 6.. Intern program dok., Havforskningsinstituttet, september 996. s. (upubl.). Korsbrekke, K., Mehl, S., Nakken, O. og Sunnanå, K. 995. Bunnfiskundersøkelser i Barentshavet vinteren 995. Fisken og Havet nr. 995, Havforskningsinstituttet, 86 s. Knudsen, H.P. 99. The Bergen Echo Integrator: an introduction. Journal du Conseil International pour l Exploration de la Mer, 7: 677. MacLennan, D.N. and Simmonds, E.J. 99. Fisheries Acoustics. Chapman Hall, London, England. 6pp. Mehl, S. 999. Botnfiskundersøkingar I Barentshavet vinteren 999. Fisken og Havet nr 999, 7pp. Valdemarsen, J.W. and Misund, O. 995. Trawl design and techniques used by norwegian research vessels to sample fish in the pelagic zone. Pp. 5 in Hylen, A. (ed.): Precision and relevance of prerecruit studies for fishery management related to fish stocks in the Barents Sea and adjacent waters. Proceedings of the sixth IMRPINRO symposium, Bergen, 7 June 99. Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway. ISBN 8769. 65

. LIST OF PARTICIPANTS (Norwegian vesels) VESSEL: F/F "G. O. Sars" F/F "Johan Hjort" DEPARTURE: Tromsø 7.. Vadsø 9.. VISIT: Vadsø.. Vadsø 5.. Hammerfest.. Honningsvåg 7.. Vadsø.. ARRIVAL: Hammerfest 7.. Tromsø.. SCIENTIFIC STAFF: P. Ågotnes (7..) B. Bergflødt (9..) H. Myran(7..) B. Røttingen (9..) H. Græsdal(7..) T.I Halland (9..) A. Leithe (7..) H. Fitje (9.5.) K. Korsbrekke (..) S. Mehl (9.5.) Ø. Nævdal (.7.) L. Solbakken (9.5.) J. delange (7..) A. Aglen (5..) E. Hermansen (..) A. Borge (5..) F. Midtøy (..) K.H. Nedreaas (5..) J. Alvsvåg (.7.) T. Wenneck (5..) S. Lemvig (.7.) M. Dahl (9..) V. Hjelvik (7..) A. Romslo (9..) E. Holm (.7.) T. Haugland (7..) M. Mjanger (7..) I. Fjeldstad (.7.) T.E. Johannessen (.7.) GUESTS: K. Sokolov (PINRO) 66

IMR/PINRO Joint Report Series No. Anon.. Report of the international group fish survey in the Barents Sea and adjacent waters in August September 998. IMR/PINRO Joint Report Series, No. /. ISSN 5888. 6 pp. No. Anon.. Report of the international group fish survey in the Barents Sea and adjacent waters in August September 999. IMR/PINRO Joint Report Series, No. /. ISSN 5888. 6 pp. No. Anon.. Report of the international group fish survey in the Barents Sea and adjacent waters in August September. IMR/PINRO Joint Report Series, No. /. ISSN 5888. 6 pp. No. 5 Aglen, A., Drevetnyak, K., Jakobsen, T., Korsbrekke, K., Lepesevich, Y., Mehl, S., Nakken, O., and Nedreaas,K. H.. Investigations on demersal fish in the Barents Sea winter. Detailed report. Botnfiskundersøkingar i Barentshavet vinteren. Detaljert rapport. IMR/PINRO Joint Report Series, No. 5/. ISSN 5888. 7 pp. No. 6 Shevelev, M., and Lisovsky, S.. Technical regulations and bycatch criteria in the Barents Sea fisheries. Proceedings of the 9 th PINROIMR Symposium, Murmansk, 5 August. IMR/PINRO Joint Report Series, No. 6/. ISSN 5888, ISBN 586999. No. 7 Anon. Survey report from the joint Norwegian/Russian acoustic survey of pelagic fish in the Barents Sea, September October. IMR/PINRO Joint Report Series, No. 7/. ISSN 5888. pp. No. 8 Anon.. Report of the international group fish survey in the Barents Sea and adjacent waters in August September. IMR/PINRO Joint Report Series, No. 8/. ISSN 5888. 6 pp. No. Anon.. Report of joint Russian/Norwegian aerial surveys in the Barents sea in September. IMR/PINRO Joint Report Series,No. /. ISSN 5888. pp.

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