GenDC: Groundbreaking data collection method for smarter fisheries management

Understanding fish populations is critical to managing Europe's marine resources sustainably. Yet, for years, stock assessment scientists have struggled with a missing piece of the puzzle: genetic data of fish populations.

GenDC is a pioneering EU-funded project aiming to standardise the collection, storage, and integration of genetic data into fisheries stock assessments. The project's full name is "Improving stock assessment and sustainable management of marine fisheries through integrated genetic data collection" and it has been funded by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) .

Using Atlantic cod as a model species, the project lays the foundation for a smarter, more resilient approach to fisheries management-one that can be replicated across species and seas.

Why genetics matters for the ocean - and for us

The EU's Data Collection Framework provides the backbone for fisheries monitoring across Europe, but it currently lacks clear standards on genetic data. This presents a challenge in cases like the Northern Shelf cod stocks, where three sub-stocks mix-but without a southern reference baseline, it becomes nearly impossible to accurately determine their origin.

In short: if we can't track which cod comes from where, we can't manage each population sustainably.

This is where GenDC steps in, developing tools and methods to make genetic data usable, accessible, and reliable within existing EU frameworks.

Marie Storr-Paulsen, project leader of GenDC, said:

"Coordinating the sampling effort across multiple countries and institutions to obtain genetic samples from the southern cod components in the North Sea has been a truly exciting experience. This particular stock component has remained at very low levels for a longer period, making sample collection especially challenging. However, thanks to strong collaboration and likely increased political awareness, countries all around the North Sea have made a dedicated effort to contribute samples for the GenDC project."

EU funding as a catalyst for change

Thanks to EU funding, GenDC will:

• Deliver standardised genetic sampling protocols for fish stock monitoring under the EU Data Collection Framework.
• Create an updated genetic baseline for Atlantic cod, helping to distinguish among intermixing sub-stocks.
• Develop open-access code to integrate genetic data into multi-stock assessment models.
• Build a strategy to integrate genetic datasets into ICES databases-ensuring long-term usability and international compatibility.

Delivering results that make a difference

By offering new tools and protocols, GenDC enables scientists and fisheries managers to base decisions on more accurate, population-level data. This should lead to:

• Improved scientific advice under the Common Fisheries Policy .
• Smarter quota setting, supporting both environmental sustainability and economic stability.
• Better conservation of biodiversity, aligned with the EU Green Deal and the Biodiversity Strategy 2030 .

Crucially, by helping fisheries move towards Maximum Sustainable Yield with greater accuracy, GenDC supports livelihoods while protecting marine ecosystems.

It is also important that the genetic data are stored in an international accessible database, like ICES' one, and that there is a common understanding among end-users to use similar variables and nomenclature for data.

By incorporating genetics into mainstream stock assessments, it helps shape a more resilient, biodiversity-informed, and climate-ready fisheries management approach.

It's a leap forward that doesn't just benefit Atlantic cod-but can have effects on the entire fish population's data collection, and therefore for the blue economy and the health of our seas.

Institute of Baltic Sea Fisheries, Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, Germany

Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden