NEAFC Catch Explorer is our new app that visualises fish catch distributions in the NEAFC Regulatory Areas. It offers insights into species distributions and fishing patterns using processed NEAFC vessel monitoring system (VMS) and catch report data from 2018-2023. This interactive tool allows users to explore spatial and temporal trends in catches, potential overlaps between species, and the relationship between catch locations and bathymetric features. the app supports fisheries management decisions around bycatch discarding, by providing a comprehensive view of fishing activities in NEAFC waters.
You can explore the data by using an interactive map of the NEAFC areas, with additional filtering options such as year (2018-2023) and species. The app allows you to visualise single species distributions or compare species pairs. Once you select your parameters, the spatial distribution of catches is displayed through colour-coded interactive maps. You can toggle between different views and overlay NEAFC area boundaries for context.
ICES expert groups contribute directly to the NEAFC Catch Explorer by processing and validating the VMS and catch report data. The data visualised in the app can be explored interactively. Please refer to the ICES Data Policy for full conditions and guidance on citation. When publishing results derived from this tool, please use the citation below.
