NAFO/ICES PANDALUS ASSESSMENT GROUP—OCTOBER 2008 Northern Shrimp (Pandalus borealis, Krøyer) from Spanish Bottom Trawl Survey 2008 in NAFO Div. 3LNO

The Spanish Institute of Oceanography carried out in 2008 two bottom trawl surveys in the NAFO Regulatory Area in Division 3NO and 3L during the months of June, July and August respectively. The results on Northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) are presented and compared with those from previous surveys from the same series. In 2008 the catch (24.2 kg.) and estimated biomass (143.8 t.) confirm the decrease of shrimp importance from 2004 in 3NO. In 3L Division, northern shrimp indices show a general increasing trend a long the whole period. Estimated biomass increased from 2003-2006; then, the values of these indices declined in 2007 (about 10%) and increased again in 2008 (149 265 t.). Catch results from the surveys and data analysis are discussed in this paper.