The ICES benchmark process is a central element in our advisory process, ensuring a sound scientific basis for the sustainable management of our seas.
Proposals for benchmarks come from Expert Groups responsible for the analysis used to provide advice, and are organised into benchmark processes typically starting with a data workshop and concluding with an assessment workshop.
The Benchmark Oversight Group (BOG) plays a key role in guiding this process on behalf of our Advisory Committee (ACOM). Together, they oversee the prioritisation of benchmark activities and confirm benchmark results.
Benchmark processes are open to experts and stakeholders and are reviewed by external experts throughout. Learn more about the benchmark process in our
Guidelines for Benchmarks.
Current benchmark processes
Reporting in 2026WKBMSYSPiCT4fle.27.2223
fle.27.3a4
lez.27.4a6a
nep.fu.2829
nep.fu.30
nep.fu.31
| Benchmark workshop 4 on the development of MSY advice using SPiCT
| Data: 8–12 December 2025 Benchmark: 2–6 February 2026
|
WKBHERSPR
her.27.20-24 spr.27.3a4
| Benchmark workshop on selected herring and sprat stocks
| Data: 2–4 September 2025 Benchmark: 1–5 December 2025
|
WKBWNG
reg.27.1-2 whg.27.47d nop.27.3a4
| Benchmark Workshop on Whiting, Norway Pout, and Golden Redfish
| Data: 17–19 November 2025 Benchmark: 23–27 February 2026
|
WKBBEAM*
Bycatch Evaluation and Assessment Matrix
| Benchmark workshop on BEAM to evaluate bycatch risk
| Data: 25 August 2025 Benchmark: 1–5 December 2025
|
Future benchmark processes
Reporting in 2027 or laterWKBBS
sal.27.32 sal.27.22-31
| Benchmark workshop on Baltic salmon
| Spring 2027 (TBD)
|
WKVMEBM2*
VMEs
| Benchmark workshop 2 on the occurrence and protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs)
| Spring 2027 (TBD)
|
WKBCAT1
whb.27.1-91214
lem.27.3a47d
| Benchmark workshop on selected category 1 stocks
| Spring 2027 (TBD)
|
WKBCAT3
dab.27.3a4
spr.27.67a-cf-k
reb.27.14b
| Benchmark workshop on selected category 3 stocks
| Spring 2027 (TBD)
|
Past benchmark processes
Reported in 2025
WKSEABASS
bss.27.4bc7ad-h
bss.27.8ab
| Benchmark workshop on sea bass stocks
| 2025 report
|
WKBPLAICE
ple.27.7e
ple.27.21-23
| Benchmark workshop on selected plaice stocks
| 2025 report
|
WKBNSCS
ple.27.7d
turbot.27.4
whg.27.7a
| Benchmark workshop on selected North Sea and Celtic Sea stocks
| 2025 report
|
WKBDEEP
aru.27.5a14
bli.27.5a14
bsf.27.nea
| Benchmark workshop on selected Deep-sea fisheries stocks
| 2025 report
|
WKBSS3
ank.27.8c9a
mon.27.8c9a
pol.27.67
sbr.27.9
| Benchmark workshop on the application of Stock Synthesis (SS3) on selected stocks
| 2025 report
|
*Ecosystem Services and Effects benchmark processes (as opposed to Single-Stock Fisheries benchmarks).
**There are two smaller-scale benchmark-related processes (Expert Group level and Review level). See ICES Guidelines for Benchmarks for more details.
