WGNEPH
Working Group on the Assessment of Nephrops Stocks
The Working Group for the Assessment of Nephrops Stocks (WGNEPH) was established in 2025. It performs stock assessments on Nephrops stocks in all relevant ICES ecoregions (Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast, Celtic Seas, and the Greater North Sea).
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WGNEPH is responsible for providing updated fisheries data, assessments, and draft advice for 29 Nephrops stocks, most of which are assessed as functional units (FUs). The working group is set to meet twice a year and involves experts from nine ICES Member Countries.
For most stocks, fully analytical assessments can be performed, and the stock status can be evaluated against reference points to provide advice based on the MSY approach. For the other stocks, the ICES framework for Data Limited Stocks (DLS) is applied to provide precautionary advice on future fishing opportunities.
