North Sea coastal areas

Fish disease and parasites; Bioassay and contaminant biological impact

The work of the ICES Data Centre is guided by ICES Working Group needs and Commission Monitoring Programmes. The collection of fish disease prevalence data began in the 1990's in collaboration with ICES Working Groups. Since then, biological effects data such as liver diseases, imposex, intersex, vitellogenin and metallothionein have become new additions to the database. Some biological effects techniques have been included in the Co-ordinated Environmental Monitoring Programme (CEMP) of the Oslo and Paris Commissions (OSPAR). Scientists are currently developing guidelines and assessment criteria for a number of biological effects techniques. There has been a significant increase in the amount of biological effects data submitted to the database in the past year. National institutes are encouraged to submit their data so that a wider coverage may be available for assessments.

International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
H. C. Andersens Boulevard 44-46
Copenhagen V

DK-1553
Denmark