| Since 1976, France participates to the International Bottom Trawl Survey (IBTS), coordinated by the International Council for Exploration of the Sea (ICES). The main objective of the survey which is carried out on board of a research vessel, is to obtain annual forecasts of recruitment for the various commercial fish species of the North Sea. These estimates are used by ICES Working Groups to assess these various stocks and to propose management measures for the following year. In addition, the data collected during these surveys concern biological and abundance analysis of main commercial fish species exploited by European countries in the North Sea. The results of studies are published in scientific papers and have improved knowledge in this field.... |
