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Stock Status within the North Sea Whiting
Key Findings
- Whiting are one of the most numerous and widespread species found in the North Sea. High numbers of immature fish occur off the Scottish coast, in the German Bight, and along the coast of the Netherlands. They are a member of the cod family, sharing many characteristics.
- North Sea Whiting are considered to be a 'Good Choice' by the Marine Conservation Society.
- Landings for local ports are not listed within Scottish Fisheries Statistics. Combined Scottish catches are shown in figure 3, with increases in volume and value observed in recent years.
- Catches of Whiting has been reducing since the mid 1990s in response to reduced stock biomass (numbers of fish). Since 2019 the stock biomass has been increasing strongly. In line with the increased stock, ICES has recommended an increase in quota of over 300%.
Figure 1: Spawning areas for Whiting in Scotland
Figure 2: ICES Stock assessment for Whiting
Figure 3: Scottish Fisheries Statistics 2021 - tonnage and value of Whiting landings by Scottish Vessels into Scotland
Notes
Linked Information Sheets
Seafood Landings by Value into the North East of Scotland - Employment in the fishing industry offshore- Employment in the fishing industry onshore- Markets for Seafood - Fraserburgh Harbour, Peterhead Harbour - Aberdeen Harbour - Small Harbours north of Aberdeen - Small Harbours South of Aberdeen – Status of key commercial species – Numbers of fishing vessels – Training - Employment - Mackerel line catch value
Key sources of Information
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Status
Live. Update due 09/01/2026
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Telephone: 07971149117
E-mail: ian.hay@stateofthecoast.scot