February 2011 - RAC AND ICES PLAN INCREASED COOPERATION TO TACKLE WEAK STOCK ASSESSMENTS

The North Sea and North Western Waters Regional Advisory Councils proposed the new initiative which has now been enthusiastically supported by ICES. At a recent meeting in Copenhagen it was agreed to go ahead and to establish terms of reference for the new task forces. Once established, the individual task forces will decide which fisheries and stock assessments should take priority.