Preliminary report on invertebrate by-catch in research blocks 58.4.1, 58.4.2, 54.4.3a and 58.4.4b

Macrobenthos by-catch are used to identfy Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VME). These VME indicators have been recorded as part of the C2 and also as part of observers data since CM 22.07 has been published in 2013. Here we report on VME bycatch in research blocks 58.4.1, 58.4.2, 54.4.3a and 58.4.4b. We looked at spatial variation of VME units at different scales, and analysed taxa spatial distribution. We also compared gear types in terms of number of VME units collected. We suggest that taxonomic diversity index and specimens count may also be considered as proxy to limiting fishing impacts on benthic ecosystems.