A dynamic ecosystem strongly influenced by Atlantic, Norwegian sea, and Greenland Sea currents. There is significant commercial fishing in the area (>1700 registered fishing vessels, ICES 2021).
These fisheries are well monitored, however, a number of PETS remain at risk from bycatch: up to 6% of harbour porpoise, 19% and 24% of harbour and grey seals respectively, and 6% and 8% of cormorants and black guillemot, as well as cetaceans and protected shark and ray species.
Fisheries of Interest
- Demersal and mid-water trawling
- Long-liners
- Gillnets (cod, Greenland halibut, lumpfish)
PETS of Concern
- Alcids
- Ducks
- Deep-water sharks
- Greenland shark
- Coastal seals
- Cetaceans
Areas of Work
- Mapping species distributions and developing bycatch estimates
- Assessing bycatch risk and vulnerability statuses
- eDNA monitoring and benchmarking monitoring techniques
- Full integrated assessments of the targeted regional species
- Conducting workshops with local fishers
Other Case Study Areas
Region 1
Greenlandic waters
Region 3
Azorean waters
Region 4
Celtic Seas
Region 5
The Greater North Sea
Region 6
The Bay of Biscay
Region 7
Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ)