North Sea Groundfish Survey, Qtr 4 (FSS: IBTS4E)

Approximately 70 core trawl stations are completed annually to provide distribution and stock composition estimates for fish species. Station, catch, length (all species) and biological data (selected species) are collected using research vessels and GOV trawls. Benthic catches are also recorded. The surveys are carried out in support of EU data regulations and as part of the Internation Bottom Trawl survey. Additional aims include collection of water temperature, salinity and litter data.