Report of the Regional Coordination Meeting for the North Atlantic (RCM NA) 2015

• Main Authors: Rodríguez-Gutiérrez, J. (José), Juárez, A. (Ana), Elliott, M. (Matthew), Elson, J. (Jon), Armstrong, M. (Mike), McCormick, H. (Helen), Ulleweit, J. (Jens), Stransky, C. (Christoph), Pout, A. (Alastair), Dintheer, C. (Christian), Azevedo, M. (Manuela), Dias, M., Reis, D.B. (Diana), Bertelsen, M. (Mette), Drukker, B., Kostopoulou, V., Zarauz, L. (Lucía)
• Other Authors: Mugerza, E.
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: Centro Oceanográfico de Santander 2016
• Subjects: Regional coordination; Data collection; The Landing; North Atlantic
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10508/10418

The 12th RCM North Atlantic was held in Hamburg (Germany) 14-18 September 2015. The main purpose of the RCM is to coordinate the National Programmes (NP) of the Member States (MS) in the North Atlantic region. National Programmes for 2011-2013 have been rolled over for the period 2014-2016. Therefore, the main focus at this year was to improve regional data collection, analysis and storage and the evolution towards Regional Coordination Groups (RCG).The impact of the introduction of the landing obligation and preparations for its implementation was also discussed taking into account possible changes in scientific sampling schemes. The participation of four National Correspondents make possible to address National administration issues related to the oncoming EU MAP. A data call was launched by the chairs of the RCM NA, RCM Baltic and RCM NS&EA where MS were requested to upload data for 2014 in the regional database (RDB Fishframe) hosted by ICES. All MS except France and Northern Ireland complied with this request on landings and effort data. All MS except France uploaded sample data for 2014. French data were available for the meeting using a web base interface. Evaluation of the data call for submission data to the RDB revealed the numbers of species in landings and sample data and the numbers of metiers in effort data are in general data stable. RCM NA see big improvements in the work MS are doing regarding data calls coming from a situation where some countries didn´t provide any data to a new scenario where everyone is providing data; at the same time the overall quality has significantly improved, which is a large step forward. Regional data collection, analysis, storage and the evolution towards Regional Coordination Groups (RCG). Optimizing and harmonizing fisheries management across MS is dependent on improving regional coordination. The group discussed various needs and aspects relevant for facilitating future work of the RCM. Future tasks for the RCM don’t differ much from the current tasks. The ...