CE18006 Anglerfish and Megrim Trawl Survey - Cruise 2/2

The 2018 Irish Anglerfish and Megrim Survey (IAMS) took place from 20th February to 19th March (area 7bcjk) and from 10-21st April 2018 (area 6a) on the Marine Institute's RV Celtic Explorer to provide abundance indices for anglerfish and megrim and to provide maturity data for a range of species. The Irish Anglerfish and Megrim Survey (IAMS) is carried out by Fisheries Ecosystems Advisory Services (FEAS). It has taken place in the 1st quarter each year since 2016 on the RV Celtic Explorer. It is coordinated with the Scottish Anglerfish and Megrim Survey (SIAMISS) and uses the same gear and fishing practices. https://oar.marine.ie/handle/10793/1424 The main objective of the survey is to obtain biomass estimates for anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius and L. budegassa) and establish an abundance index for megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis and L. boscii) in areas 6a (south of 58°N) and 7 (west of 8°W). Secondary objectives are to collect data on the distribution and relative abundance of anglerfish, megrim and other commercially exploited species. The survey also collects maturity and other biological information for commercial fish species.