North Sea Groundfish Survey, Qtr 3 (FSS: IBTS3E; NSGFS)

75 core trawl stations are completed annually, to provide distribution and stock composition estimates for fish species. Station, catch, length (all species) and biological data (selected species) are collected using research vessels and GOV trawls. Benthic catches are also recorded. These annual surveys (ongoing) are carried out in support of EU data regulations and as part of the International Bottom Trawl survey. Additional aims include collection of water temperature, salinity and litter data.