The goal of a benchmark is consensus agreement on an assessment methodology that is to be used in future update assessments. This assessment methodology can be an analytical assessment, but can also be non-analytical, for instance based on trends in an assessment or in a selected set of (survey) indicators, with or without forecasts. The result will be the 'best available' method that ICES advice will be based on. Typically, a stock will be benchmarked every 3–5 years to keep pace with changing situations.
This benchmark will deal with Pelagic stocks and ICES will use the results to give advice for 2015. The specific stocks for these benchmarks are:
Mackerel in the Northeast Atlantic (combined Southern, Western and North Sea spawning components)
Herring in Division VIIa South of 52° 30' N and VIIg,h,j,k (Celtic Sea and South of Ireland)
A benchmark meeting is open to experts and stakeholders, and is reviewed by external experts throughout the process. A benchmark process takes about five to seven months of preparation and includes a data compilation workshop and a final benchmark meeting.
If you are interested in taking part in the process, please contact Helle Gjeding Jorgensen
