C11: Status of sensitive fish species

Short Description

This indicator tracks changes in the occurrence of sensitive fish species at risk of depletion. The indicator is derived from individual assessments of populations based on scientific survey data; note that a subset of species may also be included in indicator C6 Diverse seas: status of threatened and declining features. The indicator is linked to the UK Marine Strategy Descriptor 1 (biodiversity) and the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR).

Readiness and links to data

Data on the occurrence of sensitive fish species are drawn from OSPAR common indicator ‘Recovery of Sensitive Fish Species’, produced as part of the OSPAR Quality Status Report (QSR) 2023.

Notes on indicator

Species are assessed for evidence of a significant increase or decrease in frequency of occurrence across the assessment period (2015 to 2020) compared to a reference period, and results of these assessments are presented here. There is an aspiration to reverse any long-term depletion of species populations, so the basis of the assessment is a long-term reference period inclusive of all years prior to the assessment period for which there are robust survey data (that is, 1983 to 2014). To identify whether depletion is ongoing or if signs of recovery are evident, a secondary short-term reference period is also defined (here, 2009 to 2014).

Indicator components

Figure Table

Figure C11: Long-term and short-term changes in the occurrence of sensitive fish species, Greater North Sea and Celtic Seas, 1983 to 2020

Source

The Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic, OSPAR Recovery of Sensitive Fish Species

Footnotes

Figure C11 is based on the assessment results for 33 populations of sensitive fish species found in fisheries surveys in the Greater North Sea and in the Celtic Seas, 26 and 27 populations in the long-term and short-term assessments respectively. Additionally, in both the long-term and short-term assessments for the Greater North Sea, 11 populations had insufficient data to assess against thresholds. For the long- and short-term assessments for the Celtic Seas, 24 and 23 populations respectively had insufficient data to assess against thresholds.

Each regional sea was surveyed multiple times and surveys can be conducted across differing extents of each regional sea. A mixed category has been included for those species populations where both increases and decreases were detected across the relevant region.

A more detailed assessment can be found on the OSPAR indicator page for the Recovery of Sensitive Fish Species.

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Table C11: Long-term and short-term changes in the occurrence of sensitive fish species, Greater North Sea and Celtic Seas, 1983 to 2020

Ospar region	Time period	Declining	Mixed	Stable	Recovering
Celtic Seas	Long term (1983-2014 to 2015-2020)	15.38	11.54	26.92	46.15
Celtic Seas	Short term (2009-2014 to 2015-2020)	18.52	3.70	33.33	44.44
Greater North Sea	Long term (1983-2014 to 2015-2020)	15.15	6.06	36.36	42.42
Greater North Sea	Short term (2009-2014 to 2015-2020)	12.12	-	39.39	48.48

Source

The Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic, OSPAR Recovery of Sensitive Fish Species

Footnotes

Figure C11 is based on the assessment results for 33 populations of sensitive fish species found in fisheries surveys in the Greater North Sea and in the Celtic Seas, 26 and 27 populations in the long-term and short-term assessments respectively. Additionally, in both the long-term and short-term assessments for the Greater North Sea, 11 populations had insufficient data to assess against thresholds. For the long- and short-term assessments for the Celtic Seas, 24 and 23 populations respectively had insufficient data to assess against thresholds.

Each regional sea was surveyed multiple times and surveys can be conducted across differing extents of each regional sea. A mixed category has been included for those species populations where both increases and decreases were detected across the relevant region.

A more detailed assessment can be found on the OSPAR indicator page for the Recovery of Sensitive Fish Species.

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Trend description for C11

In the Celtic Seas, over the long term, 12 (46%) of the 26 species assessed are recovering, while 4 (15%) of the 26 species assessed show a significant decline in occurrence, over the assessment period (2015 to 2020) compared to the long-term reference period (1983 to 2014).

In the Celtic Seas, over the short term, 12 (44%) of the 27 species assessed are recovering, while 5 (19%) of the 27 species assessed show a significant decline in occurrence, over the assessment period (2015 to 2020) compared to the short-term reference period (2009 to 2014).

In the Greater North Sea, over the long term, 14 (42%) of the 33 species assessed are recovering, while 5 (15%) of the 33 species assessed show a significant decline in occurrence, over the assessment period (2015 to 2020) compared to the long-term reference period (1983 to 2014).

In the Greater North Sea, over the short term, 16 (48%) of the 33 species assessed are recovering, while 4 (12%) of the 33 species assessed show a significant decline in the assessment period (2015 to 2020) compared to the short-term reference period (2009 to 2014).

Assessment of change

No assessment of change was undertaken for this indicator as a suitable time series is not yet available in the Outcome Indicator Framework.

Indicator Metadata

Headline indicator status

Not applicable

Primary goal in the 25 Year Environment Plan

Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently

Relevant goal(s) in the 25 Year Environment Plan

Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently

Relevant target(s) in the 25 Year Environment Plan

Ensuring that all fish stocks are recovered to and maintained at levels that can produce their maximum sustainable yield

Position in the natural capital framework

Condition of assets - seas

Related reporting commitments

Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR)

UK Marine Strategy (Marine Strategy Regulations 2010)

Relevant to Sustainable Development Goals 12 and 14

Stock sustainability and bycatch under the Joint Fisheries Statement

Geographical Scope

UK (Celtic Seas and Greater North Sea)

Status of indicator development

Final

First Reported

2022

Last Updated

2025

Latest Data

2020