A slight decrease compared to the average biomass of juvenile anchovy, although higher than that recorded in the 2019, 2020 and 2021 seasons.

• The annual study carried out by AZTI reveals a healthy state of the global anchovy stock in the Bay of Biscay, despite a decline in the estimate of juveniles.
• Analysis promoted by the Department of Food, Rural Development, Agriculture and Fisheries of the Basque Government, in collaboration with the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO) and the Spanish Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
• Ecosystem approach that promotes the sustainability of the species.
• The average size of the juveniles -9.7 cm- is the second highest in the historical series: a positive indicator for recruitment in the 2025 fishing season.

Pasaia, 2 December 2024. The JUVENA 2024 campaign, promoted by the Basque Government’s Department of Food, Rural Development, Agriculture and Fisheries, in collaboration with the AZTI Technology Centre, has completed its annual analysis of the biomass of juvenile anchovy (Engraulis encrasicholus) and other pelagic species in the Bay of Biscay. The results show an estimated juvenile biomass of 255,434 tonnes, a medium-low value in the historical time series, although higher than those recorded in the 2019, 2020 and 2021 campaigns.

Despite the decline, the average size of juveniles – 9.7 cm – is the second highest recorded since the start of these surveys, which is a positive indicator for recruitment in the 2025 fishing season. At the same time, the biomass of adult anchovy is at a high level of 245,825 tonnes, reinforcing the assessment of an overall healthy stock.

The study, promoted by the Basque Government and carried out in collaboration with the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, has the technical and methodological support of these institutions to ensure the accuracy of the results and their usefulness for fisheries management.

This year has seen a notable shift in the movement patterns of young fish, with a significant decrease in their presence in Cantabrian waters and a notable increase along the continental shelf off the French coast. This behaviour could be influenced by specific oceanographic conditions in the region, which is a crucial aspect to consider when analysing population dynamics. Guillermo Boyra, an expert in sustainable fisheries at AZTI and the director of this scientific campaign, has provided insights on this subject.

The estimate obtained was validated during the meeting of the Working Group for the Review of Assessment Campaigns in Southwest Europe (WGACEGG) and has been incorporated into the scientific advice for anchovy management, which will determine the allowable catches of this species for next year.

‘The results of the survey will now be combined with the results of the spring surveys and the annual anchovy catch information into a synthetic index from which catch recommendations for next year will be made, a robust management system that will continue to contribute to sustainable and responsible fisheries,’ Boyra said.

Ecosystemic approach

JUVENA 2024 confirmed its ecosystem approach by assessing not only the biomass and distribution of anchovy, but also other pelagic species of fisheries and ecological interest. Factors such as interactions with plankton and top predators were also analysed, with 908 marine mammals and 4,273 seabirds sighted during the campaign. In terms of marine debris, an increase in the presence of plastic debris was observed in 2024, marking a rebound from the levels recorded in recent years.