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.
WKWEST 2021 deals with the following stocks:
Sardine (Sardina pilchardus) in Subarea 7 (southern Celtic Seas, and the English Channel);
Pollack (Pollachius pollachius) in subareas 6-7 (Celtic Seas and the English Channel);
Red gurnard (Chelidonichthys cuculus) in subareas 3–8 (Northeast Atlantic);
Plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) in divisions 7.h–k (Celtic Sea South, southwest of Ireland);
Sole (Solea solea) in divisions 8.c and 9.a (Cantabrian Sea and Atlantic Iberian waters).
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
