27 - Atlantic, Northeast,
7e: English Channel (West)
Caught by
Net (gill or fixed)
Rating summary
For more information about this rating please visit: http://www.cornwallgoodseafoodguide.org.uk/fish-guide/thornback-ray.php
How we worked out this Rating
Stock status
The size and health of a fish population, or 'stock', that is being targeted by fishermen is a crucial indicator of whether a fishery is sustainable. If the stock is too small to withstand fishing, it is at risk of crashing. We look at how big the stock is, and how much pressure there is from fishing, to assess this. The target level that many fisheries aim for is 'Maximum Sustainable Yield' - the most fish that can be caught year after year whilst keeping the population at a healthy size.
There is concern for the biomass of thornback ray the Western English Channel and concern for fishing pressure.Route 2 (data limited) scoring has been used owing to a lack of reference points for biomass and fishing pressure. Thornback ray has a low resilience to fishing pressure.There is no information available about the biomass and therefore, there is concern for the biomass.Landings have increased steadily since 2009, peaking at 538 tonnes in 2021. Landings in 2021 were more than triple the advice given by ICES (170 tonnes). Therefore, there is concern for fishing pressure.ICES advises that when the precautionary approach is applied, landings should be no more than 170 tonnes in each of the years 2023 and 2024.The stock structure of thornback ray in Division 7e is unclear, and it is unclear as to whether it is discrete or associated with the neighbouring stocks in either Subarea 4 and Division 7d, or with the stock in divisions 7a and 7f-g. Until the stock structure is clarified, ICES provides advice separately for Division 7e.
Management
Good management is vital to be sure that fishing doesn't cause fish populations to decline. We look at whether regulations follow the best available scientific advice, how well compliance is monitored and enforced, and whether this is effective in maintaining healthy fish stocks.
For more information about this rating please visit: http://www.cornwallgoodseafoodguide.org.uk/fish-guide/thornback-ray.php
Capture method
Environmental impacts of fishing vary hugely, depending on the method used and where it's happening. We look at whether the fishing gear being used could have an effect on seabed habitats, and if so, how severe might this be. We also review whether it catches any other species by accident (bycatch), and what effect this might have on those species - especially if they're Endangered, Threatened, or Protected.
For more information about this rating please visit: http://www.cornwallgoodseafoodguide.org.uk/fish-guide/thornback-ray.php
