Skagerrak is a unique ecosystem with a rich diversity of habitats and species. However, it is also one of the most intensively trawled areas in Europe and, from a Skagerrak perspective, the management of its biodiversity and fisheries resources has shortcomings.
We identified a range of commercially valuable fish species that currently lack advice or full analytical stock assessments, or where the stock units are poorly defined, and the current advice therefore applies to an area far beyond the reach of Skagerrak. We describe the current management situation for these species and present the national and international red list indicators and recent trends in abundance and landings.
From a Skagerrak perspective, Norway, Sweden and Denmark should consider the possibility of developing a unified local management plan to underpin a sustainable utilization of Skagerrak's seafood resources, and to preserve Skagerrak’s rich and productive habitats. However, the Nordic countries cannot decide on fisheries management in Skagerrak, which except for the Norwegian EEZ, is an EU concern. Instead, we recommend forming a regional advisory committee tasked with (1) supporting the International Council for the Exploration of Seas (ICES) in developing the best possible quantitative stock assessments based on scrutinized stock unit definitions, (2) mapping essential habitats, (3) mitigating bycatch of nontarget species, and (4) advising on how to best implement a holistic ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management and nature conservation in Skagerrak. This advisory committee consisting of scientists should target managers in Norway and EU and could be formed e.g. in association with ICES and the existing working group for Nordic fisheries (AG-Fisk).