36 | ICES WGEF REPORT 2017 2 Spurdog in the Northeast Atlantic 2.1 Stock distribution Spurdog Squalus acanthias has a worldwide distribution in temperate and boreal wa- ters, and occurs mainly in depths of 10–200 m. In the NE Atlantic, this species is found from Iceland and the Barents Sea southwards to the coast of Northwest Africa (McEachran and Branstetter, 1984). WGEF considers that there is a single NE Atlantic stock ranging from the Barents Sea (Subarea 1) to the Bay of Biscay (Subarea 8), and that this is the most appropriate unit for assessment and management within ICES. Spurdog in Subarea 9 may be part of the NE Atlantic stock, but catches from this area are likely to consist of a mixture of Squalus species, with increasing numbers of Squalus blainville further south. Genetic microsatellite analyses conducted by Verissimo et al. (2010) found no differ- ences between East and Wwest Atlantic spurdog. The authors suggested this could be accomplished by transatlantic migrations of a very limited number of individuals. Fur- ther information on the stock structure and migratory pattern of Northeast Atlantic spurdog can be found in the Stock Annex. 2.2 The fishery 2.2.1 History of the fishery Spurdog has a long history of exploitation in the Northeast Atlantic (Pawson et al., 2009) and WGEF estimates of total landings are shown in Figure 2.1a and Table 2.1. Spurdog has historically been exploited by France, Ireland, Norway and the UK (Fig- ure 2.1b and Table 2.2). The main fishing grounds for the NE Atlantic stock of spurdog are the North Sea (Subarea 4), West of Scotland (Division 6.a) and the Celtic Seas (Sub- area 7) and, during the decade spanning the late 1980s to 1990s, the Norwegian Sea (Subarea 2) (Table 2.3). Outside these areas, landings have generally been low. In recent years the fishery has changed significantly in line with restrictive management measures, which have included more restrictive quota, a maximum landing length and bycatch regulations. Further details of the historical development of the fishery are provided in the Stock Annex. Further general information on the mixed fisheries exploiting this stock, and changes in effort can be found in ICES (2009 a, b) and STECF (2009). 2.2.2 The fishery in 2016 The zero TAC for spurdog for EU vessels has resulted in a major change in the magni- tude and spatial distribution of reported landings. Landings have declined across all ICES subareas in recent years, although there are some landings in the northern parts of the ICES area. Since 2011 the annual Norwegian landings have been stable at 216–313 tonnes. Prelim- inary reported landings of spurdog from Norwegian fisheries were 270 t in 2016. In July 2016, an in-year amendment to EU quota regulations saw the introduction of a small TAC (270 t) for Union and international waters of Subareas 1, 5–8, 10 and 12 (see Section 2.2.4). In 2016, UK and Ireland reported landings of 30 and 34 tonnes spurdog respectively. For UK, traditionally one of the major exploiters of the spurdog stock, this was a major increase from a level close to zero that has been seen since the zero TAC ICES WGEF REPORT 2017 | 37 was introduced in 2011. Apart from Denmark, that reported 24 tonnes spurdog for 2016, no other countries reported any significant catch. Commercial fishermen in various areas, including the southern North Sea, the Celtic Sea, and in the South- and Mid-Norwegian coastal areas, continue to report that spur- dog can be seasonally abundant on their fishing grounds. 2.2.3 ICES advice applicable In 2016, ICES advised that “when the precautionary approach is applied, there should be no targeted fisheries on this stock in 2017 and 2018. Based on medium-term projections, annual catches at the recent assumed level (2468 tonnes) would allow the stock to increase at a rate close to that estimated with zero catches. Any possible provision for the landing of bycatch should be part of a management plan, including close monitoring of the stock and fisheries”. 2.2.4 Management applicable The following table summarizes ICES advice and actual management applicable for NE Atlantic spurdog during 2001–2016: 38 | ICES WGEF REPORT 2017 YEAR SINGLE- BASIS TAC TAC IIIA , I, TAC TAC I, V, VI, WG STOCK (IIA(EC) V, VI, VII, IIIA(EC) VII, VIII, XII LANDINGS EXPLOITATION AND IV) VIII, XII AND (TONNES) AND XIV (EU (NE BOUNDARY (TONNES) XIV (EU AND AND ATLANTIC (TONNES) INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL STOCK) WATERS) WATERS) (TONNES) (TONNES) (TONNES) 2000 No advice - 9470 15 890 2001 No advice - 8870 - - - 16 693(1) 2002 No advice - 7100 - - - 11 020 2003 No advice - 5640 - - - 12 246 2004 No advice - 4472 - - - 9365 2005 No advice - 1136 - - - 7100 2006 F=0 Stock depleted 1051 - - - 4015 and in danger of collapse 2007 F=0 Stock depleted 841 (2) 2 828 - - 2917 and in danger of collapse 2008 No new No new advice 631 (2,3) - - 2004 (2) 1798 advice 2009 F=0 Stock depleted 316 (3,4) - 104 (4) 1002 (4) 1980 and in danger of collapse 2010 F=0 Stock depleted 0 (5) 0 (5) 0 (5) 892 and in danger of collapse 2011 F=0 Stock depleted 0 (6) 0 0 (6) 435 and in danger of collapse 2012 F=0 Stock below 0 (6) 0 0 (6) 453 possible reference points 2013 F=0 Stock below 0 0 0 335 possible reference points 2014 F=0 Stock below 0 0 0 383 possible reference points 2015 F=0 Stock below 0 0 0 237 possible reference points 2016 F=0 Stock below 0 0 0 (270) 349 possible reference points (1) The WG estimate of landings in 2001 may include some misreported deep-sea sharks or other species. (2) Bycatch quota. These species shall not comprise more than 5% by live weight of the catch retained on board. (3) For Norway: including catches taken with longlines of tope shark (Galeorhinus galeus), kitefin shark (Dalatias licha), bird beak dogfish (Deania calcea), leafscale gulper shark (Centrophorus squamosus), greater lantern shark (Etmopterus princeps), smooth lantern shark (Etmopterus spinax) and Portuguese dogfish (Centroscymnus coelolepis). This quota may only be taken in zones IV, VI and VII. ICES WGEF REPORT 2017 | 39 (4) A maximum landing size of 100 cm (total length) shall be respected. (5)Bycatches are permitted up to 10% of the 2009 quotas established in Annex Ia to Regulation (EC) No. 43/2009 under the following conditions: catches taken with longlines of tope shark (Galeorhinus galeus), kitefin shark (Dalatias licha), bird beak dogfish (Deania calceus), leafscale gulper shark (Centrophorus squamosus), greater lantern shark (Etmopterus princeps), smooth lantern shark (Etmopterus pusillus) and Portuguese dogfish (Centroscymnus coelolepis) and spurdog (Squalus acanthias) are included (Does not apply to IIIa); a maximum landing size of 100 cm (total length) is respected;the bycatches comprise less than 10% of the total weight of marine organisms on board the fishing vesselCatches not complying with these conditions or exceeding these quantities shall be promptly released to the extent practicable. (6) Catches taken with longlines of tope shark (Galeorhinus galeus), kitefin shark (Dalatias licha), bird beak dogfish (Deania calcea), leafscale gulper shark (Centrophorus squamosus), greater lanternshark (Etmopterus princeps), smooth lanternshark (Etmopterus pusillus), Portuguese dogfish (Centroscymnus coelolepis) and spurdog (Squalus acanthias) are included. Catches of these species shall be promptly re- leased unharmed to the extent practicable. In all EU regulated areas, a zero TAC for spurdog was retained for 2016. In July 2016, an in-year amendment to EU quota regulations (Council Regulation (EU) 2016/1252 of 28 July 2016) saw the introduction of a small TAC (270 t) for Union and international waters of Subareas 1, 5–8, 10 and 12, with this TAC to be allocated to vessels partici- pating in bycatch avoidance programmes. This regulation states that “a vessel engaged in the bycatch avoidance programme that has been positively assessed by the STECF may land not more than 2 tonnes per month of picked dogfish that is dead at the moment when the fishing gear is hauled on board. Member States participating in the bycatch avoidance programme shall ensure that the total annual landings of picked dogfish on the basis of this derogation do not exceed the amounts indicated below. They shall communicate the list of participating vessels to the Commission before allowing any landings. Member States shall exchange information about avoidance areas”. This derogation was not denoted for TAC areas for EU waters of 3.a or EU waters of 2.a and 4. In these areas, no EU landings were permitted. In 2007, Norway introduced a general ban on target fisheries for spurdog in the Nor- wegian economic zone and in international waters of ICES Subareas 1–14, with the ex- ception of a limited fishery for small coastal vessels. Bycatch could be landed and sold as before. All directed fisheries were banned from 2011, although there is still a bycatch allowance. From October 2011, bycatch should not exceed 20% of total landings on a weekly basis. Since 4 June 2012, bycatch must not exceed 20% of total landings over the period 4 June–31 December 2012. From 1 January 2013, bycatch must not exceed 15% of total landings on a half calendar year basis. Live specimens can be released, whereas dead specimens must be landed. From 2011, the regulations also include recreational fisheries. Norway has a 70 cm minimum landing size (first introduced in 1964). Since 1st January 2008, fishing for spurdog with nets and longlines in Swedish waters has been forbidden.