Abstract
Plaice Pleuronectes platessa populations on the west coast of England and Wales are currently managed as two stocks: in ICES Division VIIa (Irish Sea, Cardigan Bay and St George's Channel), and ICES Divisions VIIf&g (Bristol Channel and Celtic Sea). A total of 13,784 plaice were fitted with Petersen tags and released in these areas during 1979–1980 and 1993–1996. Analysis of the 2788 recaptures received by June 2000 confirmed known spawning and feeding grounds in the region. It showed also that plaice >25 cm LT tended to undertake extensive spatial movements. At this size, female plaice were likely to be mature or maturing for the first time, whilst males were probably mature. Tag recaptures indicated resident sub‐stocks of plaice in the north‐east Irish Sea, the south‐east Irish Sea, Cardigan Bay and Bristol Channel, a contingent of plaice in all areas that undertook permanent dispersal to other areas, and a contingent which originated in the south‐east Irish Sea and migrated to spawn in the Bristol Channel. Plaice originating in the Bristol Channel rarely moved north into ICES Vila. A general hypothesis of plaice population structure in the region is presented and discussed in relation to stock assessment.
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