DEFRA Survey Estimates Approximately 100 Adult Cod (13 Yrs. Or Older) Left In North Sea - Telegraph

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Analysis of around 500,000 fish in England and Wales found 191 million one-year-old cod and just 18 million three-year-olds. In the North Sea, there were 65,300 tons of cod aged three or more while in 1971, a peak year for cod population, there were 276,000 tons.

The decline in cod has also meant a rise in populations of their prey such as scampi. The research was carried out by Defra’s fisheries laboratory, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas).

Chris Darby, head of the Cefas team, said: “Our latest assessments suggest in 2011 there were 600 cod aged 12 to 13 in the North Sea, of which about 200 were caught.

“None of the catches recorded at North Sea ports around Europe showed any fish aged 13 or over. Analysis of that data suggests there are fewer than 100 such fish in the whole North Sea.” Scientists have appealed for a reduction in the cod quote from the North Sea down to 25,600 tons next year.

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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/9546004/Just-100-cod-left-in-North-Sea.html