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.
WKGSS will deal with the following stocks:
Greater silver smelt (Argentina silus) in Subarea 14 and Division 5.a (East Greenland and Iceland grounds)
Greater silver smelt (Argentina silus) in divisions 5.b and 6.a (Faroes grounds and west of Scotland)
Greater silver smelt (Argentina silus) in subareas 1, 2, and 4, and in Division 3.a (Northeast Arctic, North Sea, Skagerrak and Kattegat)
Greater silver smelt (Argentina silus) in 6.b, 7, 8, 9,10 and 12
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 evaluation workshop and a final benchmark meeting.
If you are interested in taking part in the process, please contact Helle Gjeding