| Description |
Fish stock biomass is a function of biological characteristics such as abundance and weight and can indicate the status of a fish stock when measured against reference values. This is a model-based indicator that is computed using results from single-species quantitative stock assessments. It shows the median value of fish stock biomass relative to 2003. The full time series is updated every year, sometimes including new stocks due to newly available quantitative assessments which can result in small differences from one release year to the next. |
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| Rationale |
Indicator is used to monitor progress towards SDG 14 on conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas and marine recources for sustainable development which is embedded in the European Commission’s Priorities under ‘Sustaining our quality of life: food security, water and nature’. The indicator can be considered as similar to the global SDG indicator 14.4.1 “Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels”. |
| Content and progress |
The Common Fisheries Policy aims to ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector by safeguarding stock reproduction for high long-term yield, improving distribution of fishing opportunities, conserving marine resources and supporting the profitability of the industry. The Marine Strategy Framework Directive takes a comprehensive and integrated approach to the protection of the marine environment and natural resources with the aim of achieving good environmental status of EU marine waters that are ecologically diverse, clean healthy and productive. |
