The latest scientific evidence confirms that Northern Shelf cod is a combination of distinct cod populations that seasonally overlap in northern shelf waters, combining to form (at least) three biologically distinct substocks: the Southern substock, the Northwestern substock, and the Viking substock. All three substocks mix outside their spawning season. A lack of real-time genetic data means that managing these substocks separately is currently impossible.
The southern substock is now below critical biological limits (Blim); therefore, recent advice has called for zero catch to protect this most vulnerable component and to allow for stock rebuilding (ICES, 2025).
ICES established a tiger team to strengthen the scientific basis for assessment and advice, ensuring more robust management of Northern Shelf cod. Work commenced in September 2025 and is expected to be finished in September 2026. The revised assessment and forecast developed by the team will be used as the basis for draft advice for 2027.
The tiger team operates as a technical subgroup under Working Group on the Assessment of Demersal Stocks in the North Sea and Skagerrak (WGNSSK), and follows ICES Guidelines for Benchmarks. This approach allows the team to work efficiently on complex scientific and modelling issues. While current ICES Observer Rules do not support stakeholder observers in review-level benchmark processes, ICES is committed to transparency and stakeholder engagement in all our processes, and the latest opportunity for stakeholder engagement will take place this week on Thursday 7 May at 15:30 CET. Stakeholders are encouraged to participate.
"This meeting is an important milestone for the team that has been working hard to evolve the Northern shelf cod assessment", says Colm Lordan, Chair of ICES Advisory Committee, "It's important to be transparent to stakeholders about the technical work they have been doing and the next steps in the process."
Click here to contact ICES to join the update meeting on Thursday 7 May.
