How can we effectively progress the assessment of MSFD D3C3?
Assessments of the state of commercially exploited fish and shellfish populations are required under both the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) (Descriptor 3). Within the MSFD, D3C3 focuses on the age and size structure of individuals in a population. This criterion was incorporated to ensure that Descriptor 3 fully reflects the objective that “populations are within safe biological limits, with an age and size distribution characteristic of a healthy stock.”
ICES has previously advised on possible approaches to assessing D3C3 and made proposals for suitable indicators (ICES 2016, ICES 2017, ICES 2024). However, the absence of agreed D3C3 indicators and threshold values has hampered extensive testing and operational use of the indicators.
ICES Workshop on Future Work on D3C3 (WKD3C_Future) that will take place 22-25 June 2026, chaired by Nis Sand Jacobsen (DK), Lena Bergström (SE), Simon Fischer, (UK) and Isabella Bitetto (IT), will evaluate potential ways forward to operationalise D3C3.
Over three days, WKD3C3_Future will:
• Analyse information on D3C3 assessments by EU Member States from the latest two rounds of MSFD reporting
• Collect evidence and new insights on potential indicators for D3C3, with a focus on length-based indicators for the assessment of data-limited stocks.
• Explore potential thresholds.
• Outline the possible next steps for the implementation of D3C3 for the next MSFD reporting cycle.
Participation
WKD3C3_Future will be held in hybrid format but in-person participation at ICES Headquarters in Copenhagen is preferred. Active participation throughout the four-day workshop is highly recommended.
Registration is closed.
If oversubscribed, ICES may prioritise participation to ensure a balanced group of experts enabling constructive discussion, diverse perspectives, and appropriate regional representation. Selected participants will be informed by shortly after the closing date for registration. If you have any questions, please contact Lara Salvany and/or Carla Franco.
