INFORMATION

International Council for the Exploration of the Sea / Conseil International pour l’Exploration de la Mer Palægade 2–4, DK-1261 Copenhagen K, Denmark

Issue no. 36 September 2000

The City Hall square in the medieval town of Bruges in Belgium, close to the venue of the 2000 ICES Annual Science Conference in September. Photo: Toerisme Brugge

In this issue:

2-4 2000 ASC in Bruges 5 Belgium in ICES 6 Belgian marine research 7 ICES in the 21st century Symposia: 8 ICES History 9 Changing States 10 CARAH 12 Irish fi sheries science 13 ICES Journal in 2000 14 Book review 15 Around ICES 2000 ASC overview

Immediately preceding the Annual Sci- X – Development of Reference Points and Oceanography and Marine Ecology ence Conference an Open Forum will be Management Systems for Fisheries and L – North Atlantic Processes held on Tuesday, 26 September, to dis- the Marine Ecosystem Dr W. R. Turrell and Prof. T. Rossby cuss the ICES Strategic Plan. Dr J. Horwood, Dr N. A. Nielsen, Dr G. van Balsfoort, and Dr M. Sissenwine M – Environment–Plankton–Fish Linkages The 2000 ICES Annual Science Confer- Dr K. Drinkwater, P. Wiebe, Prof. K. ence in itself offers an Open Lecture by Fisheries Technology and Surveying Tande, and Dr J. Runge Dr on “Fisheries and Con- J – Effi ciency, Selectivity and Impacts of servation. A Programme for Their Recon- Passive Fishing Gears N – Spatial and Temporal Patterns in ciliation”. As an innovation this year there H. A. Carr and G. Brothers Recruitment Processes will be two additional Invited Lectures, Prof. E. Houde, Dr P. Pepin, P. Munk, and one by Dr Patrick Gentien on “The Spe- K – Incorporation of External Factors in Prof. D. Schnack cies-of-Interest Approach in Understand- Marine Resource Surveys ing Harmful Algal Blooms: Implications E. J. Simmonds, Dr P. Petitgas, and Dr S. Open Session in Modelling Population Growth of Gym- Walsh Z – General Fisheries and Marine Ecology nodinium mikimotoi”, and the other by W. Vanhee and J.-J. Maguire Dr Ann E. Gargett on “How Do Extremes Mariculture of Climate Variability Affect Biological O – Sustainable Aquaculture Develop- Production in Estuarine Systems?”. ment For more information on the 2000 ICES Prof. H. Ackefors and Prof. H. Rosenthal Annual Science Conference visit the ICES The scientifi c programme will feature the Website at www.ices.dk/asc/2000. following sessions: P – New Trends in Fish Feeding in Aqua- culture Mini-Symposium J. Castell and Dr S. J. Kaushik Mini – Defi ning the Role of ICES in Sup- porting Biodiversity Conservation projects fi nanced by, or under the Dr J. Rice and Dr M. Tasker The Belgian Delegates auspices of, the European Union and ICES and is also a visiting lecturer at Theme Sessions the University of Ghent and the Free University of Brussels. Dr De Clerck Marine Habitats has also been an invited lecturer at S –Temporal and Spatial Trends in the several other universities and scientifi c Distribution of Contaminants and Their institutions in both Belgium and other Biological Effects in the ICES Area countries. Dr Remi W. P. M. Laane, Dr P. Matthies- sen, and Dr T. Lang

T – Classifi cation and Mapping of Marine Dr Rudy De Clerck is Director of Habitats the Sea Fisheries Department/Ministry Dr D. de Jong, Dr J. Side, and Dr R. Allee of Agriculture (Ostend). He joined the Department in 1967. After working on the U – Marine Biological Invasions: Retro- quality aspects, handling processes, and spectives for the 20th Century – Prospec- industrial processing of fi shery products, tives for the 21st Century he became head of the Biological Section Prof. J. Carlton and Dr D. Minchin in 1969. Since then, he has done research on the population dynamics Dr Georges Pichot is in charge of the Living Resources of commercial fi sh (particularly fl atfi sh), “Management Unit of the Mathematical Q – Trophic Dynamics of Top Predators: the production processes of the sea, the Model of the North Sea (MUMM)” of the Foraging Strategies and Requirements, relationships between stocks and fi shing Belgian Royal Institute of Natural Science. and Consumption Models effort, and the impact of marine pollution He is also a member of the national Prof. H. Gislason, K. T. Nilssen, and Dr on the fi sh communities in Belgian coastal Committee on Oceanology of the Royal M. Tasker waters. He is the author or co-author of Academy of Sciences in Belgium and over 130 papers on these topics. of the ICES Oceanography Committee; R – Application of Experimental Labora- he is head of the Belgian delegation tory Studies to Dr De Clerck has been an ICES Delegate to the OSPAR Commission and to the Dr J. S. Christiansen and Prof. J. G. Pope since 1988. For a long time he was Ministerial Conferences for the Protection a member of the Advisory Committee of the North Sea; he is responsible for Y – Downturn in North Atlantic Salmon on Fishery Management (ACFM), as well the Belgian implementation of Chapter Abundance as a member of the European Union’s 17 of Agenda 21 of the Rio Conference; Dr J. A. Ritter and A. Isaksson Scientifi c, Technical and Economic and he is a member of EUROGOOS. His Committee for Fisheries (STEFC). He was fi rst fi eld of interest was the mathematical Fisheries Resource Management the Vice-Chair of STEFC from 1982 modelling of ecological processes and V – Medium-Term Forecasts in Decision- to 1984, and again for the period the interactions between marine physics Making 1991–1995, and he has been a member and biology, but now his main concern Dr K. Patterson and P. Sandberg and Chair of several ICES Working and is to develop the best possible links Study Groups. between marine science of high quality W – Cooperative Research with the Fish- and society’s demands of the sea and its ing Industry: Lessons Learned In addition, he has been involved in resources. He begins his term as one of Dr G. Chouinard and Dr Paul Rago various international cooperative research the Belgian Delegates to ICES this year.

2 Welcome to Belgium

Dr Rudy De Clerck and Dr Georges Pichot look forward to greeting their ICES colleagues at the 2000 ASC (88th Statutory Meeting). Photo: Toerisme Brugge Belgium has been an ICES member since 1903 – see Jens Smed’s article on page 5 – but this is the fi rst time that it has hosted a Statutory Meeting or an ASC, so the occasion really is rather special.

Belgium’s history is characterized by many occupations, starting with Caesar, followed by the Franks, the Austrians, the Spaniards, Napoleon, and fi nally the Dutch. It became an independent king- dom in 1830 although it is no bigger than the State of Maryland in the USA. To some extent it is Europe in a nutshell, multicultural and multilingual, so it is very appropriate that the European Par- liament, Council, and Commission all have their headquarters in Brussels. It is best known for its medieval cities, quaint towns, Gothic cathedrals and town halls, castles, and carillons. It is also famous for the more than 350 delicious types of beers and, of course, for the unique chocolate.

The country comprises two regions, Flan- ders in the north and Wallonia in the south. In the Flanders region there are the three sister cities of Antwerp, Bruges, and Ghent. There is an excursion planned during the 2000 ASC, which will enable people to visit all three.

The ASC itself will be held in Bruges. The city was founded between the 7th and 9th centuries and enjoyed an economic boom, stimulated by the Counts of Flan- ders, between the 13th and 15th centuries and became one of the richest in the world at that time. Bruges today remains a medieval city of stunning beauty and charm with one of the oldest Gothic city halls (1376-1420). It is rich in other architectural and artistic treasures and graced by quiet canals and waterways. Continued on page 4 3 The Open Lecture at the 2000 ASC will be given by Daniel Pauly

(ICLARM), in Manila, the Philippines, in Base, the computerized encyclopedia July 1979 as a Postdoctoral Fellow, and on fi sh) are in use throughout the gradually assumed increasing responsibili- world. A recent addition to this menag- ities as Associate, and Senior Scientist, erie is the concept of "fi shing down then Programme and Division Director. In marine food webs", now shown to occur 1985 he obtained, again at the University on most of the world’s major fi shing of , a ‘Habilitation”, i.e., the post- grounds. doctoral degree similar to a DSc, which is required for teaching in many European Dr Pauly sits on several journal editorial universities. In October 1994, he joined boards, has helped to organize a dozen the Fisheries Centre, University of British fi sheries conferences, and has been Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, as a ten- engaged in numerous consultancy exer- ured Professor, but remained ICLARM’s cises (e.g., for the UN Food and Agricul- Dr Daniel Pauly is a French citizen, born Principal Science Adviser until December ture Organization and the World Bank) in May 1946 in Paris. He grew up in the 1997. in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. In French-speaking part of Switzerland, but 1998, he became the principal inves- completed high school and university His scientifi c output, which is mainly tigator of the large “Sea Around Us” studies in the Federal Republic of Ger- dedicated to the management of fi sheries project, devoted to the basin-scale anal- many, where he acquired a “Diplom” (= and currently totals some 400 items, ysis of fi sheries impacts on marine eco- MSc) in 1974 and a doctorate in fi sher- comprises authored and edited books, systems, and presently focused on the ies biology in 1979 at the University of reports, and scientifi c papers. The con- North Atlantic. Kiel. cepts, methods, and software he has developed (e.g., ELEFAN for length-fre- In his spare time Dr Pauly enjoys read- He joined the International Center for quency analysis), or co-developed (e.g., ing, some scuba diving, and then read- Living Aquatic Resources Management Ecopath for ecosystem analysis, or Fish- ing again.

Welcome to Belgium Continued from page 3

The Belfry (13th century) is widely con- 15th century Gruuthuse Museum con- church and Carmelite Chapel there is sidered to be Belgium’s fi nest, with a tains an extensive collection of furniture, a collection of furniture, paintings, and fantastic carillon that has been in use silverware, tapestry, lace, ceramics, glass, other items, and the Old Dispensary (17th for almost eight centuries. The halls of weaponry, and measuring instruments century) next door is also worth a visit. this 260-foot-high tower (366 steps) with from that period. A visit to the many 47 bells that have a total weight of medieval chapels and churches is Bruges is a city in constant evolution. 27 tonnes, have been chosen as the loca- strongly recommended. The “Church of In June 2000 it hosted the European Foot- tion for the plenary ASC reception on Our Lady” contains a marble statue of ball Championship, and in 2002 it will Wednesday, 27 September, when the car- the Madonna with Child by Michelangelo proudly hold the title of “Cultural Capital illon will play special arrangements for and several mausoleums and polychrome of Europe”. Belgium is renowned for the ASC participants. tombs from the 13th century. The “Basil- its excellent cuisine – Bruges stands for ica of the Holy Blood” contains the relic refi ned gastronomic delights. Hundreds of The city is justly famous for its impressive of the holy blood that is worshipped cosy pubs in medieval style are waiting art-historical and cultural heritage. There every Friday. for your visit. You can also enjoy roman- are many museums to visit. The Groenin- tic trips with horse-drawn carriages or in gen Museum offers a unique survey of The 2000 ASC (88th Statutory Meeting) the boats on the city canals. Dutch and Flemish painting (15th-20th will be held in the Congress Centre “Oud centuries) with very famous masterpieces Sint-Jan”, the site of Saint John’s Hospital See you in September! by the so-called “Flemish Primitives”. The in the medieval quarter of Bruges which Memling Museum has six authentic mas- has been restored. The Memling Museum terpieces of Hans Memling. In the Arent- occupies the 12th-century section of huis a representative collection of lace the building and the conference centre from the city’s collection is shown. The the 19th-century hospital rooms. In the

4 The accession of Belgium to ICES

Jens Smed So the Government decided that Belgium In August 1901 the Swedish Government Former ICES Hydrographer and Chef du should not join the international organi- started negotiations with various coun- Service Hydrographique zation. tries about a fi nal meeting to establish the new organization. By early September Fortunately, an alternative approach was several countries had answered posi- Belgium did not play a part in the possible. In 1898 the Director of the tively, but there had been no news from fi rst planning meeting for ICES because Royal Belgian Museum of Natural His- Belgium. When Belgium had still not Professor Otto Pettersson’s contact in tory, Edouard Dupont, had urged a replied by early 1902, Pettersson wrote Belgian scientifi c circles, Professor W. member of his staff, Gustave Gilson, directly to Gilson, who confi rmed that Spring, in consultation with his colleague to gather marine organisms in Belgian the Ministry was much in favour of Bel- Professor Edouard Van Beneden, strongly coastal waters in order to create docu- gium's accession to the new organiza- advised against inviting Belgium to the mented collections which at that time tion. In principle it had already decided Stockholm Conference in 1899. They were missing in the Museum. When to pay its share of the expenses to be felt that the Belgian Government would Dupont learned of the deplorable deci- incurred by the organization’s Bureau and not nominate the right representative sion of the fi nancial authorities he sug- Laboratory and to make a certain amount and would not be able to understand gested that Gilson, in addition to his available to Gilson for the investigations the value of an international project work for the Museum, should undertake which would be assigned to him. The relating to the sea! In their view, if the the work required by the International great diffi culty concerned the construc- Government decided to send a Delegate Scheme. As the apparatus and the exist- tion of a research vessel. This would to the Conference it would most likely be ing organization could be used, the only mean a great expense, and the Minister of a diplomat, an offi cer from the Ministry expense for Belgium in taking part in Finance had declared that no money was of Agriculture, or a shipowner, and this the International Scheme would be the available, adding, however, that in two would be quite inappropriate. Professor payment of a small contribution to the years' time he would be more inclined Spring pointed out in his letter to running of the Central Offi ce. Gilson to approve a grant. Gilson suggested that Pettersson that since the Belgian coastline accepted the arrangement and the Bel- it might help overcome this resistance was so short the participation of the gian Government agreed to pay the if the Swedish/Norwegian envoy in Brus- Netherlands could very well make up contribution. Consequently, Belgium was sels approached the Belgian Foreign Min- for the absence of his own country. He represented by Gilson at the Second Pre- ister, explaining how much his Govern- and Van Beneden both agreed that every paratory Conference in Kristiania (Oslo), ment would appreciate Belgium’s joining attempt to regulate the fi shery in the though only on the last day, when he pre- the Scheme. North Sea would be premature as long as sented a draft programme for the investi- the physical and biological conditions of gations which he intended to undertake Pettersson passed on the suggestion to his the sea were unknown, and they therefore as part of the international work. He Government together with the idea that strongly approved of the plans for also signed the report of the Conference it might encourage the Belgian authorities investigations put forward by Pettersson. together with the other Chief Delegates. if they were informed confi dentially that Sweden was proposing to solve the vessel The absence of both Belgium and France In the exchanges before the Kristiania problem initially by equipping the gun- was noted at the 1899 meeting though, meeting, Willegue had discussed with Dr boat "Svensksund" for the purpose and and as proposed by Dr P.P.C. Hoek the best site for the head- placing it at the disposal of Pettersson "The Conference recommends that these quarters of the Scheme and the candi- and his colleagues. He thought something resolutions be brought to the knowledge dates for General Secretary. In an “abso- similar might be done in Belgium. The of the governments of France and lutely secret” letter he expressed his opin- Swedish/Norwegian delegation in Brus- Belgium". The other participants ion that England was highly occupied by sels was instructed by the Foreign Minis- supported this line which the relevant other matters and, in any case, not very ter to follow this line. The reply from Foreign Offi ces could use as a basis for sympathetic at all for the moment, and the Belgian Government was that the future negotiations. These took place in France was too far off. Belgium had noth- question was still under consideration. due time, and the Chair of the Belgian ing at all to offer, neither the men, nor the The envoy added that the greatest prob- Committee for Mariculture, Professor E. institutions, nor the willingness, and Ger- lem obviously was the procurement of a Willegue, who was asked by the Ministry many might not be acceptable to France. vessel. The budget did not allow for the of Agriculture for his committee’s view, Sweden was too far away, and Denmark construction of a suitable vessel, and the replied after consultation that it felt that was also too diffi cult to reach. Willegue existing fi shery protection vessels were Belgium should join the proposed joint thought that his colleague, Van Beneden, too small for hydrographic work. venture. Moderate plans were drawn up, had the qualifi cations to be the General but to everyone's surprise they were not Secretary “but he is stubborn in his Unfortunately the deliberations in Brus- agreed to by the Belgian Minister of Huxleyism and perhaps lacks zeal and sels dragged on, and Belgium was not Finance. He said he could not favour an energy.” Holland to him was the obvious represented at the constitutive meeting industry of secondary importance to the country to house the Headquarters. He of ICES in July 1902. Strictly speaking, degree suggested because he feared that it changed his mind a little later, suggesting therefore, Belgium is not one of the would give rise to much greater demands that Belgium really had all that was by the main industries of the country. needed! Continued on page 6

5 Belgian marine research over the years

The interest of Belgian scientists in marine matters dates to initiatives undertaken at Belgian universities during the last century. Some of these were:

• In 1842, Pierre Joseph Van Beneden, a Professor at the Catholic University of Louvain, set up a rudimentary laboratory at Ostend to study marine biology. It was the fi rst of its kind in RV “Belgica” Belgium. of fi sheries. From the early 60's this work range of sensors and up-to-date comput- • At Liège University, Professor Edouard was taken over by the Department of ing and data processing facilities. It is Van Beneden pioneered research in Sea Fisheries. The Department is a public involved in many activities related to marine science. He also established a research organization depending on, and the sea such as on-site monitoring of laboratory at Ostend. supervised by the Ministry of Agriculture. the quality of the marine environment, In the same period, Ghent University and airborne surveillance of pollution and • At Brussels University, Paul Pelseneer, the Royal Institute for Natural Science human activities, mathematical model- an internationally renowned authority began research into oceanic matters. ling (coastal and estuarine hydrodynamic, on molluscs, was one of the fi rst chemical, and physical processes and to offer a regular course in marine At the end of 1970, the Belgian Gov- accidental and chronic pollution), impact biology. ernment started a national "Environment/ assessment, preparation of legal measures Water" research programme that included and of emergency plans, and interna- • Adrien de Gerlache organized an the "Sea" project. From 1971 to 1976 tional cooperation. Antarctic scientifi c expedition in the about 200 research workers from different period 1897–1899 with a multina- universities and scientifi c institutes coop- The present mission of the Sea Fisheries tional team (9 Belgians, 6 Norwegians, erated in this project. In 1976, under the Department is to provide the scientifi c 2 Poles, one Romanian, and one aegis of the Ministry of Public Health and basis for the rational and sustainable American) that used the sailing vessel the Environment, a unit was established exploitation of living marine resources, “Belgica”. The research carried out to build a mathematical model of the the protection of the marine environment, was directed towards geology, meteor- North Sea and the estuary of the Scheldt and the quality control and assurance of ology, oceanology, and marine fauna. (MUMM, the Management Unit of the fi shery products. The Department com- In 1905, 1907, and 1908 the “Belgica” Mathematical Model of the North Sea). prises four operational sections: Biology, made Arctic expeditions to the Green- The mission of the unit is to use the scien- Monitoring, Gear Technology, and Prod- land Sea, and to the Kara and Barents tifi c results achieved by the "Sea" project uct Technology, with a total staff of about Seas, respectively. in making policy decisions. MUMM is 45. It is involved in scientifi c and pol- now a department of the Royal Belgian icy-supporting programmes fi nanced by In 1926 Gustave Gilson, a successor of Institute for Natural Sciences, a state sci- the Federal Government, the Prime Min- Pierre Joseph Van Beneden, organized entifi c institution. Its staff of about 35 ister's Services for Scientifi c, Technical, the "First International Conference on people forms a multidisciplinary team and Cultural Affairs, the Flemish Gov- the Ocean" in Ostend. A year later that is active in all the matters pertaining ernment, and the fi shing industry. The the "Zeewetenschappelijk Instituut" (ZWI) to the management of the marine envi- research by the Department is strongly (Institute for Marine Science) was ronment. Since 1985 MUMM has had service-oriented towards industrial sci- founded. Over a period of more than 30 at its disposal not only its own oceano- entifi c organizations and management years, the institute was occupied mainly graphic research vessel (RV "Belgica") but bodies, the Government, the fi shing with research in the science and statistics also an aircraft equipped with a wide industry, and consumers.

Accession of Belgium Continued from page 5 "special delegation" which included Gus- enter into the international organization organization's founding countries. In due tave Gilson, who made an announcement on an offi cial footing". A little later Bel- course, however, the Belgian Government about the work that Belgium intended gium applied for membership, and at the expressed its desire to join. Consequently, to carry out as its contribution. The meet- Council meeting in February 1904, Gus- at the second Council meeting, in Febru- ing agreed "that the Danish Government tave Gilson and Auguste Hamman were ary 1903, Belgium, although not yet an be requested to take the necessary steps welcomed as the offi cial Belgian Dele- offi cial member, was represented by a to enable the Kingdom of Belgium to gates for the fi rst time. Belgium's joining

6 ICES in the 21st century

Dr Scott Parsons President, ICES

In August 2000 ICES convened a Sym- fi sheries and environmental perspectives. debated again in Norway and possibly posium on “100 Years of Science under On both the science and advisory fronts, in Iceland. What are the implications for ICES” in Helsinki, Finland. The accom- ICES is moving toward a more integrated, ICES if, at some point in the coming plishments and achievements of ICES’ fi rst multidisciplinary ecosystem approach to decades, Norway, and possibly Iceland, 100 years are numerous and the impacts both the science and the provision of join the EU? far-reaching. advice. During the past year, we have held consultations with both fi sheries and Since virtually all of ICES' advisory func- ICES is now at a pivotal point in its his- environmental customers. Proposals to tion focuses on the provision of advice tory, as it approaches the Centenary and improve the advisory process will be con- pertaining to the Northeast Atlantic and embarks upon its second century. It is sidered by Delegates at this year’s Coun- the Baltic (with the exception of NASCO), time to take stock, to refl ect on what we cil meeting in Bruges. the future evolution of the EU could play have achieved, and where we might be a major role in shaping the destiny of going in the years ahead. The development and coordination of ICES in the 21st century. marine science has become, in many We cannot, of course, forecast the nature respects, subservient to the powerful advi- Notwithstanding these uncertainties, ICES of ICES 100 years from now. Indeed, we sory role that ICES has assumed. We must has the opportunity to build on its existing have little idea of what the world will ensure that the science programme of strengths and grow further as an interna- look like 100 years hence, or ICES’ place ICES is not swamped by the pressures of tional marine science organization, with in it. responding to the growing demands for a broad focus on marine ecosystems, even more timely and detailed advice. A including living resources, and their rela- During the second half of the 20th cen- strong and viable science programme is tion to humanity. tury, ICES evolved from a forum for vital to the future of ICES. Without sound international collaboration in science, to science ICES will be unable to provide ICES has many strengths to build on. It an organization with a very visible and quality advice to meet current and emerg- has had a clear focus. It has a broad important advisory function, particularly ing needs. ICES must evolve to address network of exceptionally capable marine with respect to fi sheries management and broader marine ecosystem issues if it is to scientists who collaborate in the advance- also for marine environmental issues. survive and fl ourish in the 21st century. ment of understanding and the provision One of our major challenges in the But there are other broader forces that of advice. It has a well-established frame- coming decades will be to ensure that will also infl uence whether ICES thrives work in international collaboration. It ICES, in discharging its advisory function, and prospers in the decades ahead. has an international reputation for good focuses on customer needs, both fi sheries science and credible advice. It is at the and environmental. It also needs to build Geopolitical change could play a major forefront in developing approaches to better mechanisms for dialogue with role in shaping the fate of ICES. The EU tackling major new challenges of under- those (e.g., fi shers) who are most directly continues to enlarge. Sweden and Fin- standing and providing integrated advice affected by the management decisions land have joined. Other countries to the on marine ecosystems. based on the scientifi c advice. east are seeking membership. And, inevi- tably the question of membership will be The founders of ICES had a dream. It’s up Recently, pressure has been growing for to us, their successors, to build on that the provision of advice that integrates dream and take it further.

ICES was fi rst and foremost due to Gil- Ness, and Cap Gris Nez–Dover, quarterly son's untiring efforts. With very small from a ferry for many years. fi nancial means he carried out much of his country's contribution to the coop- (A fuller version of this paper complete erative activities himself, sampling two with detailed references is available on sections in the southern North Sea and request from the Editor.) the Channel, viz., Blankenberghe–Orford

7 ICES Symposium on 100 Years of Science under ICES

Professor Gotthilf Hempel Centre for Tropical Marine Ecology Bremen,

Is ICES like an old man who proudly remembers how good he was in the old days and who is grateful for still being somewhat useful, or is ICES like a well-established company that meets the demands of an ever-changing market? I asked those questions in my summing-up of the recent Symposium on “100 Years of Science under ICES”. Nearly 100 scien- tists met in Helsinki, Finland, 2–5 August Standing, left to right: Dr Robert R. Dickson, Walter Lenz, Dr Tim D. Smith, 2000, and 71 papers and 10 posters were Orestes Cendrero, Professor Jakob Jakobsson, Professor Eric L. Mills, Jari presented. The sessions were chaired by Helminen, David de G. Griffi th. Seated, left to right: Margaret Moody, Kaija the keynote speakers for twelve themes Pönni, Dr Emory D. Anderson, Maiju Koivula, Professor Pentti Mälkki on the development of techniques and concepts in fi sheries research and related fi elds of oceanography (see list in the May and biological parameters and of fi sh Gerlotto et al. on acoustic methods issue of the ICES newsletter, No. 35). stock data. Bob Dickson called those data (presented by Paul Fernandez), Rob sets the crown jewels of ICES. Other serv- Stephenson on herring investigations, Until the 1960s ICES was the leading ices by ICES to marine science include its on whale research and whal- marine science organization in the world. long-standing activities as central labora- ing, and Jens Meincke on fi shery ocea- Since then it has had to share infl uence tory for the development, standardization, nography. I was intrigued by the Scandi- and responsibilities with other regional and intercalibration of instruments and navian contributions on herring, where and global bodies, but it is still Number methods, as data centre, and as scientifi c the 19th century’s migration concept met One in fi sheries science and advice to publisher of “white” and “grey” literature. with the current stock concept. Many fi shery management in temperate and Countless methodological workshops and fascinating (hi)stories focused on ICES cold waters. Very early ICES picked up assessment working groups have pro- heroes like the great “outsiders” Hensen, pollution research and monitoring, and vided training on the job for generations Hardy, Holt, and Steemann Nielsen. The it has participated successfully in marine of young scientists. three “looks forward” by Scott Parsons, research on global climate change. Warren Wooster, and Jake Rice on the My hit list of outstanding talks includes, new challenges of ICES all came from ICES has initiated and coordinated inter- inter alia, Katherine Richardson on plank- across the Atlantic. national expeditions and surveys resulting ton and fi sheries, Mike Sinclair on the in long time series of physical, chemical, notion that fi sh form stocks, François What did I miss? More time for in-depth discussions and transatlantic dialogues on the history of key concepts like overfi sh- ing, fi shery oceanography, and the triad of fi eld observations–experiments–model- ling. The hobby-historians of the ICES marine science community would have benefi ted from a stronger participation by professional historians.

What did I enjoy apart from many of the talks? The arrangements by the host Pentti Mälkki and his staff, and the preparation of the Symposium by its Chair, Emory Anderson. I am looking forward to his stringent editing of the proceedings to be published well in time for the ICES Cen- tenary in 2002. That will be the proper Seven ICES Presidents at the ICES History Symposium. occasion to answer my question about Standing, left to right: Professor Gotthilf Hempel (1979-1982), Professor Warren S. ICES being an old man or a vivid com- Wooster (1982-1985), Ole J. Østvedt (1985-1988), Professor Jakob Jakobsson (1988-1991). pany that is reactive and proactive to Seated, left to right: David de G. Griffi th (1991-1994), A. Maucorps (1994-1997), Dr Scott demands of marine science and its appli- Parsons (1997-2000), Professor Pentti Mälkki (present First Vice-President) cation to the needs of society.

8 NOAA/IOC/SCOR/ICES Symposium on Changing States of Large Marine Ecosystems of the North Atlantic and Global Environmental Trends

Dr Kenneth Sherman approaching the previous total value of results of pertinent multidecadal surveys NMFS/NOAA the cod catch. This development has seri- of the fi sh communities and oceano- Narragansett, Rhode Island, USA ous socio-economic consequences pres- graphic conditions within the two LMEs. ently under discussion by the Canadian Hein Rune Skjoldal Government. Results of the case studies for European Institute of Marine Research waters underscored the importance of Bergen, Norway Case studies for the Northeast Shelf and augmenting and maintaining oceano- Southeast Shelf ecosystems off the east graphic and biological surveys pertinent During the past decade a growing net- coast of the United States showed the to changes in fi sh stocks of the Norwe- work of marine scientists and resource principal importance of overfi shing in gian Sea (C. Holst), Barents Sea (P. Dalpa- managers have been reporting on the decline of demersal fi sh stocks of dado), North Sea, Baltic Sea (J. Thulin), changes in the states of large marine the Northeast Shelf ecosystem, and the and Biscay–Celtic Shelf (L. Valdes) LMEs. ecosystems at symposia in different areas pelagic mackerel stocks and reef fi sh The case for large-scale oceanographic of the globe. Selected papers from the stocks of the Southeast Shelf ecosystem. forcing on the North Sea ecosystem was symposia are published in volumes on For both ecosystems substantial fi sh stock made by J. McGlade, C. Reid, and A. the Pacifi c Rim LMEs, the Indian Ocean recovery is under way as a result of sub- Taylor, based on their observations of LMEs, the US Northeast Shelf LME, and stantial decreases in fi shing effort man- changes in plankton productivity and the Gulf of Mexico LME. The geographic dated by Fishery Management Councils water-column mixing in the southern range of the LME symposia was extended of New England, the mid-Atlantic, and North Sea, and stratifi cation of the waters across the North Atlantic during a sym- the southeastern states. The management posium held in June 1999 in Bergen, actions were based, in part, on the Continued on page 10 Norway. The results of fourteen studies from North America and Europe were presented by scientists and programme managers from some 20 countries The Faroe Shelf LME water is separated bordering on the North Atlantic. Sympo- from surrounding oceanic water by a sium sponsors included the International persistent tidal front. The internal coher- Union for the Conservation of Nature ence in structure of the Faroe Shelf Large (IUCN), the Ministries of the Environment Marine Ecosystem is characterized by the and Fisheries of Norway, the Intergovern- simultaneous fl uctuations at several tro- mental Oceanographic Commission, the phic levels in the ecosystem, including Scientifi c Committee on Ocean Research, primary production, fi sh recruitment, the US National Oceanic and Atmo- growth, biomass yield, and seabird spheric Administration, and ICES. demography. The dotted line depicts the typical position of the tidal front separat- The interaction between overfi shing and ing the shelf from the open ocean (Fig. A). ecological change was the focus of Cana- dian studies of the Newfoundland-Labra- dor Shelf ecosystem and the Scotian Shelf ecosystem. K. Zwanenberg et al. under- scored the need for more comprehensive monitoring of key biological and physical Figure B elements of the Scotian Shelf ecosystem, whereas J. Rice et al. indicated that a Relative variability in primary production, major shift in fi sh species abundance guillemots, 2-year-old cod and haddock during the mid 1980s into the 1990s on recruitment, and mean weight of 2-5 the Newfoundland–Labrador Shelf posed year-old cod and haddock, 1990 to 1999 serious questions relating to the manage- (Fig. B). (From: E. Gaard, B. Hansen, B. ment objectives for an ecosystem where Olsen, and J. Reinert. Ecological features there has been lack of any substantial and recent trends in the physical environ- recovery of cod. According to Rice et ment, plankton, fi sh stocks, and seabirds al., one of the consequences is a change in the Faroe Shelf ecosystem. In Changing in the trophic structure of the ecosystem, States of the Large Marine Ecosystems of leading to signifi cant increases in shrimp the North Atlantic. Ed. by K. Sherman and crab populations and concomitant and H. R. Skjoldal. Elsevier. [in press].) high price values for these species Figure A

9 Seventh International Conference on

Artifi cial Reefs and Related Aquatic Habitats

EARRN continues to function, thus ensur- Dr Josianne G. Støttrup ing coordination of European artifi cial Danish Institute for Fishery Research reef research and the organization of the- Hirtshals, Denmark matic workshops or meetings.

More than 230 participants from 21 The Conference was organized in six the- William Seaman, Tony Pitcher, and different countries attended the fi ve-day matic areas: Margaret Miller gave the opening plenum Seventh International Conference on Arti- keynote talks. William Seaman empha- fi cial Reefs and Related Aquatic Habitats 1. Function and ecology of artifi cial sized the need to focus research on arti- (7th CARAH) held in San Remo, Italy, reefs fi cial reefs ensuring well-defi ned objec- 7–11 October 1999. The objectives of the 2. Planning and design of artifi cial reefs tives, quantifi able aims, and identifi cation meeting were: 3. Artifi cial substrata – artifi cial reefs of success criteria, which can be meas- 4. Rigs to reefs ured. The application of ecosystem • To provide an international forum 5. Aquaculture, FAD, and fi sheries models to evaluate the success of deploy- for the exchange of new technical 6. Monitoring, mitigation, and assess- ment of artifi cial reefs was the main information on all aspects of artifi cial ment theme of the talk given by Tony Pitcher. reefs and related habitats; His talk centred on the static mass- • To promote new research, pro- In his opening talk, Dr Antony Jensen balanced ecosystem model ECOPATH, grammes, and policies which reviewed the European development on which describes the trophic fl ow among advance artifi cial habitat enhance- artifi cial reefs, which has been on-going functional groups, and on ECOSPACE, in ment and management technologies; for about 30 years, and described the which spatial modelling of the system and initiation of an EU-funded three-year linked to defi ned habitats is driven by • To summarize existing programmes project, the European Artifi cial Reef movements derived from foraging, preda- on artifi cial habitat technology, Research Network (EARRN) in 1995. tor-avoidance, and dispersal rates. Marga- including evaluation of effectiveness Despite the termination of this EU project, ret Miller pointed out the advantages at the international level.

Changing States Continued from page 9 hypotheses to account for the reported most in need of fi nancial grants for proj- of polysaccharides produced by benthic shifts in species abundance levels, the ects to improve ecosystem conditions. algae appears to be on the increase participants entered into lively debate Approximately $200 000 000 is available in North Sea sediments and, according on the principal objectives of ecosystem- from the GEF to support the successful to J. McGlade, is cause for concern as based management, its present status, and proposals. the effects of polysaccharides on benthic prospects for the future. Two activities spawning species (e.g., herring) is not supported by the Global Environment very well understood. Facility (GEF), located within the World The second activity of the GEF is to col- Bank, were discussed with regard to the laborate with ICES, the Helsinki Commis- The results of multidecadal time series of management objectives theme. The fi rst sion, and the International Baltic Sea Fish- oceanographic measurements on major activity of the GEF is providing $7 million ery Commission to plan and implement shifts in species abundance levels were to support a Global International Waters a GEF-supported project to introduce eco- presented for the East Greenland (Rätz Assessment (GIWA) based on 66 global system-based management to the Baltic et al.), West Greenland (S. Pedersen and areas, 50 of which are LMEs. According Sea LME, by providing fi nancial assis- J. Rice), and Iceland Shelf (Astthorsson) to the GIWA Chief Scientist, Symposium tance to countries in the eastern Baltic ecosystems. Based on 40 years of oceano- attendee Per Wramner of Sweden, assess- region (Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, graphic, plankton, marine birds, and fi sh ment teams will be requested to compile and Russia). and fi sheries time-series data, a compel- pertinent information and report on the ling case was made by E. Gaard on state of the ecosystem in relation to envi- A comprehensive and incisive summary the effect of oceanographic forcing on ronmental quality and resource sustain- of the Symposium has been prepared by changes in the fi shery yields of the Faroe ability over the next three years. The Professor Gotthilf Hempel. The summary, Shelf LME. GIWA effort is expected to identify the along with selected case studies, will be "root causes" of environmental degrada- published by Elsevier Press in a new In addition to discussions on the science- tion and resource depletion, and this Large Marine Ecosystem volume series based studies of changing ecosystem information is to be used by the GEF expected to be available for distribution states, and consideration of alternative to prioritize LMEs and adjacent countries in early 2001.

10 of artifi cial reefs for exploring ecological provided effective habitat for fi sh assem- content within the artifi cial reef com- processes and encouraged their use for blages. However, it was important to munity, the attraction–production contro- manipulative ecological experiments. At assess the environmental impact of the versy, and suggested that the attraction the same time care should be taken substances constituting these artifi cial and the production hypotheses are two in interpreting and applying data from reefs, their stability, and durability. opposing ends of a continuum infl uenced artifi cial reefs to natural ecological proc- by density-dependent factors. esses since the type of data generated Reuse of steel was indirectly also the from the studies are intrinsically different. main theme of the fourth area: rigs to Of the 90 or so presentations and 27 Five days of presentations and posters, reefs. During their operational period, rigs poster papers, around sixty are expected and three discussion sessions followed. provide hard substrate on which biotic to be submitted for consideration, with In total, around 90 oral papers run in communities and associated fi sh assem- approximately fi fty being accepted for parallel sessions, and 27 posters were blages develop. The resource benefi ts, publication in a special volume of the presented at the meeting. including providing shelter for fi sh assem- ICES Journal of Marine Science. blages often representing species heavily The fi rst thematic area on the function impacted by overfi shing and environmen- Were the objectives met? An excellent of artifi cial reefs included 26 oral presen- tal changes, may not be suffi cient to forum for the exchange of new technical tations covering a wide range of usage prevent these artifi cial reefs from being and scientifi c information on all aspects of artifi cial reefs. The protection of Posi- regarded as an excuse for solid waste of artifi cial reefs and related habitats donia meadows from illegal trawling is disposal and to prevent rigs from being was provided. Recommendations for fur- a relatively inexpensive, but effective removed. More information is needed on ther work were put foreword, including form of fi sheries management enforce- the environmental benefi ts of dismantling encouragement to use artifi cial reefs ment. Ample evidence was provided for decommissioned rigs as compared with for manipulative ecological experiments. the attraction and enhanced local produc- constructing reefs. Existing programmes were evaluated and tion of fi sh or benthos due to artifi cial methods for the evaluation of effective- reefs, and some on their use to remove Eleven oral presentations on the fi fth ness of these structures were discussed. nutrients in eutrophicated areas. Although theme addressed different aspects of However, there is still a need for more the general application of artifi cial reefs aquaculture, sea ranching, or fi sh attrac- work on larger-scale environmental was often well justifi ed, the potential tion devices (FAD). Environmental amel- impact of deployment of artifi cial reefs impact on the ecosystem from the intro- ioration is another function of artifi cial and for the participation of those working duction of new habitat, often different reefs, which could be combined with in related fi elds, such as rehabilitation of from the indigenous habitat, was not production either directly or indirectly natural reefs. examined. by placing these near marine net-cage cultures to mitigate aquaculture environ- The social events, in particular the visit The second thematic area on planning mental impact. The Japanese programmes to Montecarlo Institute of Oceanography and design of artifi cial reefs looked combine the deployment of artifi cial reefs and Aquarium, at the special invitation at larger-scale environmental, socio-eco- with mass release of fi sh, often hatch- of the Director of the Institute, Professor nomic, and cost-effi ciency properties of ery-reared, for enhancing local coastal François Doumenge, deserves a special these structures. Several of these large- marine resources. mention. The bus tour from San Remo scale artifi cial reef programmes are an to Monaco provided a beautiful scenic integral part of fi sheries-resource man- The sixth thematic area, with 14 oral drive along the Ligurian coast. Monaco agement and are often aimed at enhanc- presentations, focused on monitoring, itself was magnifi cent, and the aquarium ing local marine resources. On a smaller mitigation, and assessment. Acoustics are was housed in a building of impressive scale, the structural complexity of the arti- useful for estimating abundance and bio- architectural stature. Traditional aquari- fi cial reefs was shown to be important as mass of fi sh as well as for delimiting ums were fi lled with impressive live a fi sh refuge and for biotic colonization. the boundaries of artifi cial reefs and corals of various forms and sizes, accom- shifts such as relocation, subsidence, or panied by a myriad of fi sh in all forms, The third thematic area comprised four sand burial of artifi cial reefs, which may sizes, and colour patterns. Thank you oral presentations devoted to the most impact their function. Within this the- again to our Italian hosts. controversial subject concerning artifi cial matic area, the impact of artifi cial reefs reefs, and possibly the primary cause on the surrounding ecosystem was exam- for prejudice: material used for artifi cial ined by at least two of the papers with reefs. The general conclusion was that diversifi ed results recalling the need to such structures composed of coal fl y ash, examine the consequences of deploying steel slag, or scrap tyres were intended reefs, even if these are built and posi- as a positive approach to dealing with tioned correctly for their purpose. The a terrestrial waste-disposal problem and fi nal paper addressed the main topic of

11 Sea change in Irish fi sheries science

John Joyce Marine Institute Dublin, Ireland

There’s a major sea change sweeping through Irish fi sheries science. In the wake of David Griffi th’s appointment as ICES General Secretary, the Marine Insti- tute has restructured its Marine Fisheries Science Division (MFSD) into fi ve sec- tions under the leadership of Dr Paul Connolly, its new Director.

In pelagic fi sheries, John Molloy is leading projects on herring stocks and spawning grounds in the Irish and Celtic Seas, as well as in ICES Areas VIa and VIIb, supplemented with information Irish research vessel “Celtic Voyager” (in foreground) in comparative tow exercise supplied by fi shermen. Work is also with the Scottish research vessel “Scotia” in the Irish Sea, November 1999 on-going on mackerel and horse mack- erel, which includes acoustic surveys, with occasional studies on sprat. MFSD is also involved in two large projects, each recruitment of commercial fi sh stocks off allowed the important work of the FAT’s coordinated by Spain. The fi rst examines the west and south coasts of Ireland. Sur- to continue. the stock identities of horse mackerel and veys to identify “hot spots” of fi sh larvae the second aims to maximize the amount and eggs off these coasts are planned Continuing on the theme of communica- of information gained from multi-annual, for early in 2001 and will be followed tions, MFSD mounted a very successful international, mackerel egg surveys. by detailed vertical studies, using staff stand at the recent FISH IRELAND 2000 and equipment on loan from the United exhibition in Killybegs, Co. Donegal. The On demersal species, the area of interest States. Marine Institute’s research vessel "Celtic extends from Rockall in the north to the Voyager" was also tied up alongside Celtic Sea in the south, with specifi c Having a good working relationship there and open to visitors. Prior to the programmes on haddock, monk, megrim, with fi shermen is seen as an absolute exhibition John Molloy and Ciaran Kelly deepwater sharks, plaice, and the Irish priority within the Division. In 1999 the held a workshop with pelagic fi shermen Sea cod. MFSD has been working closely FIEFA project (Framework for Improved aimed at identifying spawning grounds with the industry in developing a recov- European Fisheries Assessment) was and improving the fl ow of information ery plan for the Irish Sea cod in coop- completed. This project, which was coor- between MFSD and industry in both eration with all parts of the UK. It is dinated by Ireland with the participation directions. also cooperating with the Irish Sea Fish- of the UK, France, Spain, and Portugal, eries Board (the Irish acronym is BIM) involved the recruitment in Ireland of Earlier this year the Minister for the and others to reduce by-catch of cod in fi ve Fisheries Assessment Technicians Marine and Natural Resources, Frank the valuable Nephrops fi shery and to test (lovingly known as “FAT’s”) who have Fahy, TD, announced that the Marine new selective gear equipped with separa- been collecting information on discards Institute would be relocated from its base tor and square mesh panels. Surveys are both at sea and in ports around the in Dublin to a purpose-built, state-of- being carried out, too, with the UK on country. the-art facility in Galway in 2003. Also Irish Sea egg and larval abundance in new on the Marine Institute scene is a order to estimate the stock size of plaice One deliverable of the FIEFA project 65-metre research vessel, which is due for and cod. has been the production of a 30-minute, delivery in 2002. She will complement broadcast-quality video entitled “While the existing "Celtic Voyager" in deeper The Marine Institute is now involved Stocks Last” aimed at improving under- waters and add a whole new dimension in an ambitious project with the USA’s standing between fi shermen and scien- to Irish marine research. National Oceanic and Atmospheric tists. This video, which featured John Administration (NOAA) looking at ways Molloy and other staff from MFSD, was All in all, an exciting time to be in of linking satellite imagery and oceano- shown on national television in Ireland. fi sheries research in Ireland. graphic features. The aim is to try to Earlier this year FIEFA was replaced by understand the factors that infl uence a project called SAMFISH, which has

12 The ICES Journal of Marine Science in 2000 to date

John Ramster, Editor where in the pipeline, i.e. with referees, sia were to be published within eighteen with authors for revision, or with the months of the meeting, as is the general The Editors of the ICES Journal of Marine Guest Editor. idea, then the publication sequence of Science, see back page, are pleased to be four “normal” and two “symposia” num- able to report that the backlog of papers It is clear that ICES staff, the editorial bers of the Journal in each year had to waiting to be published this year was team of the ICES Journal, and the be broken in 2000. Consequently only cleared by means of a bumper August members of the Publications Commit- the February and August numbers this issue. They know from the number tee feel deep regret and concern that year carry “normal” papers: April was of enquiries received that authors have the remaining manuscripts should still “Recruitment”, June was “Ecosystem been hurt and puzzled by the long be waiting to be published, two and Effects of Fishing”, October will be wait between acceptance and publication a half years after the Symposium. How- “Marine Benthos Dynamics: Environmen- after being bruised by the long wait for ever, despite attempts to remedy the tal and Fisheries Impacts”, and December comments from the refereeing process, situation, it appears that little can be will be "Population Dynamics of Calanus but they have been simply unable to done. The smooth running of the sci- in the North Atlantic". We aim to get back help. Some of the delay stemmed from entifi c programme of ICES depends to the normal pattern early next year, with a change of offi ce and staff respectively upon a strong commitment by those the papers approved between June 2000 at our publishers, Academic Press. The involved. Mostly this works, but some- and about the turn of the year. main reason for it, however, has been the times it does not. In this case we have chaos created by the fact that the papers not been able to trace the roots of the Our aim is to publish papers that get a from ICES Symposia, most notably those problems, let alone devise a mecha- fair wind from referees within a year of from the 1997 Recruitment Dynamics nism by which they might be resolved. receipt. The “fair wind from referees” is Symposium, did not appear remotely to The Symposium was a great success. the big Factor X, though, and we can the time agreed just after the meetings There was a wealth of signifi cant con- appreciate that taking on the refereeing of took place. In a foreword to the April tributions. There was enthusiasm to papers is a non-trivial task these days. We issue of the ICES Journal the Editor-in- publish the proceedings. And then are wondering – and will be discussing in Chief, Dr Niels Daan, wrote: things fell silent. Contributors saw their Bruges – whether or not it is reasonable ideas being overtaken by new data, to say to authors that in year Y+1 they This issue of the ICES Journal of new research, and faster publications. should review for us twice the number Marine Science represents about half Some decided, and rightly so, to with- of papers published under their name of the contributions stemming from draw their manuscripts and submit in year Y. Something has to be done, the ICES Symposium on "Recruitment them elsewhere. anyway, and a little more than just Dynamics of Exploited Marine Popula- changing “three” to “six” in the present tions: Physical–Biological Interactions", In September 1999, the Publications “acknowledgement of receipt” letter, viz. held in Baltimore, Maryland, in Sep- Committee concluded that there was “You may not hear from the editor tember 1997, which have been pro- no other option than to print everything processing your paper for six months due jected for publication. The present available so far. This issue, which rep- to the pressure on referees.” Do tell us volume is neither a random selection resents Volume I of the Symposium what you think about this when you see of papers nor a personal selection by proceedings, refl ects that decision. us wandering the rooms at the ASC. the Editors; it simply contains all manu- scripts delivered to them before 1 Janu- We hope that it will be followed soon ary 2000 by the Guest Editor, after the by Volume II. But I can assure everyone usual peer review process. within and outside ICES that this is not how the Editors want to conduct the We continue to receive many questions publication of Symposium volumes in from authors not included in this the ICES Journal. volume about the status of their contri- butions – but we really do not know the The absence of these Recruitment papers answer to these questions! We have to to time and the plethora of Symposia assume that the manuscripts are some- in recent years meant that if most Sympo-

13 At sea again

….an occasional piece featuring poetry and prose about the sea and its related life that will say it all to lots of people within ICES. Contributions to this column are welcome

Fishing with a difference – a book review

Stephen Lockwood became skipper of the Hannah Boden She now makes a rather more modest Coastal Fisheries Conservation and Man- ("Moby Dickless" was one of the milder living, following in Dora Brown’s foot- agement epithets she endured while she perfected steps, working her own inshore lobster Colwyn Bay, Wales, United Kingdom her craft). Like Brown, Greenlaw also pro- boat. vided the undeniable response. Success! The Hungry Ocean is a book about fi sh- This book may not be about fi shing as ing. It is a book about the routine prepa- If her skill in writing is a measure of her you know it, but no matter. Read it like a ration of fi shing gear on the week-long ability to fi nd and catch swordfi sh, she novel, you’ll enjoy it. run out to the fi shing grounds. It is a deserves the discomfort of "the golden book about the bone-numbing grind and horseshoe stuck up her ass"! This is no The Hungry Ocean by Linda Greenlaw the muscle-wrenching 20+ day demand criticism but the grudging acknowledge- Sceptre paperbacks (Hodder & of 20-hour days when the fi shing is too ment that one swordfi sh skipper gives to Stoughton) good to stop. It is a book about the joys of the superior skill (or luck) of another. ISBN 0 340 72896 5 GB£ 6.99 a trip with sustained high catch rates and Greenlaw admits to feeling downhearted the prospect of fat pay cheques following when someone else is "suffering" rather (This review fi rst appeared in Fishing the run home and "settlement". As ever, than her. News on 14 April and is reproduced with the crew’s anticipation is heightened by the permission of the Editor.) the thoughts of getting drunk and "laid" Every aspect of the trip is described in during their 48 hours ashore. great detail. How a 40-mile swordfi sh long-line is put together – including elec- There is no shortage of such books tronic coded "bleepers", not dahn buoys, describing the hardships and horrors of how it is baited with squid and light life on the Arctic cod grounds. Many sticks, set, and then hauled back. Before have been written over the years, by it is set, however, the skipper must apply professional writers (e.g. Hugh Popham his or her knowledge and understanding – Cape of Storms), by retired skippers of physical oceanography – in particular (e.g., Arthur Whittleton – Wooden Ships temperature and tides. and Iron Men), and by academics (e.g., Jeremy Tunstall – The Fishermen). Using a pair of towed thermistors, one at the surface and another at 7 fathoms Two things, however, make this book dif- (the "up-bird" and "down-bird"), Green- ferent, indeed, memorable. The fi rst is law describes how fi rst she locates "hot" that despite the familiarity of the underly- (over 60oF) surface water and then sets ing story and experience, it is not about the gear along the steep side of its inter- the Arctic trawlers. It is an account of a face with the colder water around it. single trip aboard a New England sword- When the skipper gets it right, the reward fi sher working 45oN 45oW. It was written is 2 tonnes or more of swordfi sh per by the skipper – and here is the second night’s fi shing. If the hooks drift into difference – Linda Greenlaw! Even in colder water the penalty is a catch of this relatively emancipated era, women blue sharks, tangled gear, and the need to as crew to commercial fi shing vessels are replace lost hooks and damaged snoods. still rare. The nearest we have had in the UK, for example, to a female skipper- The whole story is presented with zip and author was probably Dora Brown, who plenty of anecdotes ("Mug Ups") along the wrote They Labour Mightily, describing way to leaven the technicalities. There her life working a Whitby coble in the are also some real insights into the nature 1930s. of her individual crew, what makes fi sh- ermen fi sh, and some of the stresses Like Brown, Greenlaw admits to facing of being paid to make the decisions prejudice, if not outright hostility, when – $13 712.09 for the trip in question, she began work and again when she fi rst with $5 484.84 for each of the crew.

14 Around ICES

Germany United Kingdom

German Federal Research Board for Fish- Changes eries at “EXPO 2000” The maritime interests within Cardiff Uni- EXPO 2000 is not Hannover only. In Wil- versity in Wales are due to be re- helmshaven, close to the North Sea coast, organized as from 1 August 2000. The a special event ,“EXPO 2000 at Sea”, current Department of Maritime Studies deals with a broad range of marine affairs and International Transport will be split in Germany. There, the institutes of the into three, and each part will be absorbed German Federal Research Board for Fish- into other related interests in the Uni- eries have set up a 300-m2 exhibition hall versity. “Transport”, for example, which to inform the public about their work in includes the port and shipping manage- fi sheries and fi sheries-related research. ment interests (including MSc studies in International Transport and Marine As the visitors move into the exhibition Policy, respectively) will transfer to Car- they are “caught” in a trawl and become diff Business School, while the Seafarers “virtual fi sh” as they follow the imaginary International Research Centre will join life history of a cod on their way round the School of Social Sciences. The Marine the different exhibits. In doing so they Geography group, comprising the BSc are introduced to the concepts of fi sh in Marine Geography programme and recruitment and ageing, fi sheries manage- the Marine and Coastal Environment ment and environmental protection, and Research Group (MACE), will join the to fi sheries technology. They are also Department of Earth Sciences, where an shown the close connection that exists extended Marine Geo-Science group is between the Federal Research Board and being formed. ICES. At the University of Greenwich, England, “EXPO 2000 at Sea” will continue until meanwhile, a Maritime Studies Depart- Chance-of-a-Lifetime 31 October and is open daily from 10 am ment similar to that closing at Cardiff has to 8 pm. opened for business in superb rooms on Investment Scheme the revamped site of the Old Royal Naval Ireland College. We all know when to celebrate on board See John Joyce’s article on page 12. USA the old research vessel, but have you never grown tired of drinking your cham- Spain “New approach” ship at Woods Hole pagne out of a glass that is normally used for stomach sampling specimens? ICES New oceanographic centre Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution now offers you the chance to invest in (WHOI) recently announced its intention your crew’s quality time while impressing A new oceanographic centre for the Insti- to build a SWATH Coastal Research your fellow ICES Member Countries with tuto Español de Oceanografía (IEO) will Vessel. The SWATH (Small Waterplane your high standards. This month ICES be ready by the end of 2000 in Gijón Area Twin Hull) ship is a relatively recent is offering a pair of unique (and in (Asturias). The new laboratory will com- design development. According to WHOI only a hundred years they’ll be antique plement the research activities on-going the submerged hulls do not follow sur- as well) ICES Centenary Champagne at the existing IEO facilities at Vigo, La face wave motion and effectively dimin- Glasses, encased in a handsome com- Coruña, and Santander on the northern ish the ship's pitch and roll, providing a plimentary giftbox at the ridiculous low coast of Spain. remarkably safe and stable working envi- price of DKK 150 for the pair. As only ronment. It should prove seaworthy for a limited amount are available we are critical wintertime operations in the harsh forced to restrict the number of boxes to New England conditions and provide a 10 (ten) per person. "big ship" capability at a small-ship size, crew, and cost. Scheduled for completion They can be purchased either at the in early 2002 it will have an overall Annual Science Conference in Bruges in length of 32 m and a beam of 15.5 m and September, or through the ICES Secre- accommodate 16 crew and scientists for tariat by telephone +45 33 15 42 25, up to 15 days at a time. Further informa- fax +45 33 93 42 15, or by e-mail tion is available from www.whoi.edu. [email protected].

15 ICES Journal of Marine Science

The ICES Journal Editorial Team will be circulating during the ASC in Bruges - and look forward to discussing ways in which the Journal can continue to meet the expanding needs and interests of its readers. Keep an eye out for them or drop by their offi ce in the Mercator Room. For more contact information see the Journal Web page: www.ices.dk/pubs/journal.htm.

John Ramster John Hislop Andy Payne Michael Chadwick

Editor-in-Chief Niels Daan

Question: What is Niels doing? Emerging from an all-night session with thrilling manuscripts? Escaping from enraged authors? Send your answer to John Ramster and enter the ICES SWEEPSTAKES. You could in a set of ICES Centenary champagne glasses!

3 Woodside Avenue Editor: John Ramster Comments, suggestions, ideas, Bridge of Weir PA11 3PQ or questions? Any and all com- Scotland, United Kingdom munications are most welcome, Tel/Fax: +44 1505 615402 so please don’t hesitate to get E-mail: [email protected] in touch!

ICES/CIEM Information Published biannually by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea Palægade 2–4, DK-1261 Copenhagen K, Denmark Phone: +45 33 15 42 25 • Fax: +45 33 93 42 15 E-mail: [email protected] • www.ices.dk

16