Duration:  24 February to 16 March 2025

Cruise area:  Baltic Sea (Mecklenburg Bay, Arkona Sea)

Purpose:  Baltic International Trawl Spring Survey

The 845th voyage of the FRV Solea is part of the Baltic International Trawl Survey in the Baltic Sea, which is coordinated by ICES sand in which eight neighbouring countries participate. The aim of the cruise is to record demersal fish species in the southern part of the Belt Sea and the Arkona Sea during the above-mentioned period, with standard hauls and at randomly selected stations.

Tasks of the cruise:

• carrying out a stratified random survey to determine indices for the quantitative calculation of cod and flatfish stocks including hydrography
• stock analyses of cod and all flatfish species
• qualitative and quantitative analyses of bycatch
• additional sampling as part of national and international enquiries
• additional hauls to explore the feasibility of shortening the standardised towing time of fishing hauls