ICES/NAFO Joint Working Group on Deep-water Ecology (WGDEC). ...

• Main Author: ICES
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: ICES Scientific Reports 2024
• Subjects: Ecosystem observation, processes and dynamics; Pressures, impacts, conservation, and management; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.17895/ices.pub.23507940.v1; https://ices-library.figshare.com/articles/report/ICES_NAFO_Joint_Working_Group_on_Deep-water_Ecology_WGDEC_/23507940/1

The joint ICES/NAFO Working Group on Deep-water Ecology (WGDEC) deals with the biology and conservation of deep-sea habitats in the North Atlantic. Working Group experts collate new information on the distribution of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) and fishing activities within ICES ecoregions (including the NEAFC Convention Area) and the NAFO Convention Area for use in ICES advisory processes. This information assists the development of new methods to improve the understanding of deep-sea ecosystems and informs the implementation of management tools to afford the protection of VMEs.During the 2023 meeting, WGDEC reviewed new information on the occurrence and distribution of VMEs, VME indicator taxa and VME elements that were submitted in response to the ICES VME data call (March 2023), including those arising in the NEAFC Convention Area, as well as subareas of the Regulatory Area that are closed to fishing for other purposes than VME protection.New data on VMEs is available from areas within the ...