Towards a spatial integrated stock assessment model for European hake northern stock

Fishing mortalities, spawning stock biomasses and recruitments were slightly different from the current assessment model estimates, essentially at the beginning and the end of the time series. On average over the time series, fishing mortality estimates relative to the abundance were higher in the Bay of Biscay than elsewhere, spawning stock biomass estimates were higher in the Celtic Sea than elsewhere, and recruitment occurred mainly in the Bay of Biscay. Finally, the final spatial model estimated a strong movement from the northern area to the Celtic Sea. The final spatial model is a step towards a spatial assessment and management of the stock.