Can stock assessments inform us about the ecological situation in our waters?

For decades, the condition of fish populations in Danish waters, from fjords to the open sea, has been the subject of intense debate. Yet surprisingly little robust data exists to support these discussions. The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) provides annual stock assessments and catch advice for fish and shellfish stocks across the North Atlantic, forming the backbone of sustainable fisheries management and environmental policy, including MSFD Descriptor 3. In this presentation, we focus on fish stocks with substantial geographic overlap with Danish waters. Drawing on ICES advice, we analyze current trends in stock size. We also evaluate the status of these stocks by comparing average biomass and fishing pressure against established reference points, where available. These reference points represent the minimum biomass threshold required to ensure sustainable stock productivity. Two-thirds of the stocks show declining biomass, and nearly all exhibit decreasing catches. However, about half remain above the critical lower biomass threshold. Stocks such as cod and herring are in particularly poor condition, whereas some plaice and a whiting stock seem to be doing good. We ask: What lies beneath the surface of the numbers? Do these assessments truly reflect the environmental status of Danish seas? What insights do they offer, and what important limitations must be acknowledged?