D3

3.1 Level of pressure of the fishing activity

3.1.1 Fishing mortality

3.1.2 Fish catch/biomass ratio

3.2 Reproductive capacity of the stock

3.2.1 Spawning stock biomass

3.2.2 Biomass indices

3.3 Population age and size distribution

3.3.1 Proportion of larger fish

3.3.3 Fish length distribution

3.3.4 Fish size at sexual maturation

ANS-BE-MS-1: Conform the Directive, GES and the environmental targets for the Belgian marine waters are defined on the basis of the eleven qualitative descriptors listed in Annex I of the Directive. The definition of GES is expressed in a qualitative description of what GES would look like when achieved for each of the descriptors. This is then underpinned by a set of more detailed quantitative environmental targets based on established environmental thresholds/limits for state, pressure or impact (Art. 10). Where quantitative environmental thresholds could not be set, trend-based or qualitative thresholds were used. The complete package of GES and environmental targets needs to give a complete and balanced overview.

ANS-BE-MS-1: Conform the Directive, GES and the environmental targets for the Belgian marine waters are defined on the basis of the eleven qualitative descriptors listed in Annex I of the Directive. The definition of GES is expressed in a qualitative description of what GES would look like when achieved for each of the descriptors. This is then underpinned by a set of more detailed quantitative environmental targets based on established environmental thresholds/limits for state, pressure or impact (Art. 10). Where quantitative environmental thresholds could not be set, trend-based or qualitative thresholds were used. The complete package of GES and environmental targets needs to give a complete and balanced overview.

• Belgian Part of the North Sea

• All fish
• ExtractSpeciesFishShellfish

• ExtractSpeciesFishShellfish

• ExtractSpeciesFishShellfish

D3

3.1

3.1.1

3.1.2

3.2

3.2.1

3.2.2

3.3

3.3.1

3.3.3

3.3.4

Populations of all commercially exploited fish and shellfish are within safe biological limits, exhibiting a population age and size distribution that is indicative of a healthy stock.

o Situation 1 – FMSY known: the level of stock mortality generated by fishing activity (F) is equal to or lower than FMSY o Situation 2 – FMSY not known, but Fpa known: the level of stock mortality generated by fishing activity (F) is equal to or lower than Fpa o Situation 3 – FMSY & Fpa not known: a catch/biomass ratio that is consistent with a sustainable exploitation will be used as a proxy reference point o Situation 4 – biomass not known: trends of survey CPUE (catch per unit of effort) will be evaluated as a proxy for fishery mortality

Spawning stock biomass: the spawning stock biomass (SSB) is at a level capable of delivering MSY. o Situation 1 - BMSY known: the level of spawning stock biomass (SSB) is equal to or higher than BMSY o Situation 2 – BMSY not known, but Bpa known: the level of spawning stock biomass (SSB) is equal to or higher than Bpa o Situation 3 – BMSY & Bpa not known: trends of survey abundance will be evaluated as a proxy of stock biomass