3.6.82 Official Journal of the European Communities NoC 140/3 
Communication from the Commission on the description of the ICES sub-areas and 
divisions used for the purpose of fisheries statistics and regulations in the North-East 
Atlantic 
This communication is in the nature of a corrigendum to the communication of the 
Commission published in the Official Journal of the European Communities No C 5 of 
9 January 1982, p. 2. In view of the number of inaccuracies which occurred in that 
communication, the communication is herewith republished in full. 
The description of the ICES fishery statistical sub-areas and divisions in the North-East 
Atlantic used in the regulations of the Community's fishery policy is contained in the 
Annex to this communication. 
ANNEX 
Description of the ICES sub-areas and divisions used for the purpose of fisheries statistics and 
regulations in the North-East Atlantic 
Sub-area I (commonly known as the Barents Sea) 
The waters bounded by a line from the geographic North Pole along the meridian of 30° 00' east 
longitude to 72°00' north latitude; thence due west to 26°00' east longitude; thence due south to the 
coast of Norway; thence in an easterly direction along the coasts of Norway and the Union of 
Soviet Socialist Republics to Khaborova; thence across the western entry of the Strait of Yugorskiy 
Shar; thence in a westerly and northerly direction along the coast of Vaygach Island; thence across 
the western entry of the Strait of the Karskiye Vorota, thence west and north along the coast of the 
south island of Novaya Zemlya; thence across the western entry of the Strait of Matochkin Shar; 
thence along the west coast of the north island of Novaya Zemlya to a point in 68°30' east 
longitude; thence due north to the geographic North Pole. 
Sub-area II (commonly known as the Norwegian Sea, Spitzbergen and Bear Island) 
The waters bounded by a line drawn from the geographic North Pole along the meridian of 30° 00' 
east longitude to 72°00' north latitude; thence due west to 26°00' east longitude; thence due south 
to the coast of Norway; thence in a westerly and south-westerly direction along the coast of 
Norway to 62°00' north latitude; thence due west to 4°00' west longitude; thence due north to 
63°00' north latitude; thence due west to 11°00' west longitude; thence due north to the geographic 
North Pole. 
Division II a) (commonly known as the Norwegian Sea) 
The waters bounded by a line beginning at a point on the coast of Norway in 62°00' north latitude; 
thence due west to 4°00' west longitude; thence due north to 63°00' north latitude; thence due west 
to 11°00' west longitude; thence due north to 73°30' north latitude; thence due east to 30°00' east 
longitude; thence due south to 72°00' north latitude; thence due west to 26°00' east longitude; 
thence due south to the coast of Norway; thence in a westerly and south-westerly direction along 
the coast of Norway to the point of beginning. 
Division II b) (commonly known as Spitzbergen and Bear Island) 
The waters bounded by a line drawn from the geographic North Pole along the meridian of 30° 00' 
east longitude to 73°30' north latitude; thence due west to 11°00' west longitude; thence due north 
to the geographic North Pole. 
No C 140/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 3.6. 82 
Sub-area III (commonly known as the Skagerrak, Kattegat, Sound, Belt Sea and Baltic Sea, the Sound 
and Belt Sea are together known also as the Transition Area) 
The waters bounded by a line beginning at a point on the coast of Norway in 7°00' east longitude; 
thence due south to 57°30' north latitude; thence due east to 8°00' east longitude; thence due south 
to 57°00' north latitude; thence due east to the coast of Denmark; thence along the north-west and 
east coasts of Jutland to Hals; thence across the eastern entrance of the Limfjord to Egensekloster 
Point; thence in a southerly direction along the coast of Jutland to the eastern terminus of the 
boundary of Denmark with the Federal Republic of Germany; thence along the coasts of the 
Federal Republic of Germany, the German Democratic Republic, Poland, the western coast of the 
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the coasts of Finland, Sweden and Norway to the point of 
beginning. 
Division III a) (commonly known as the Skagerrak and Kattegat) 
The waters bounded by a line beginning at a point on the coast of Norway in 7°00' east longitude; 
thence due south to 57°30' north latitude; thence due east to 8°00' east longitude; thence due south 
to 57°00' north latitude; thence due east to the coast of Denmark; thence along the north-west and 
east coasts of Jutland to Hals; thence across the eastern entrance of the Limfjord to Egensekloster 
Point; thence in a southerly direction along the coast of Jutland to Hasenore Head; thence across 
the Great Belt to Gniben Point; thence along the north coast of Zealand to Gilbierg Head; thence 
across the northern approaches of the 0resund to the Kullen, on the coast of Sweden; thence in an 
easterly and northerly direction along the west coast of Sweden and the south coast of Norway to 
the point of beginning. 
Division III b), c) (commonly known as the Sound and Belt Sea, or the Transition Area) 
The waters bounded by a line drawn from Hasenore Head on the east coast of Jutland to Gniben 
Point on the west coast of Zealand; thence along the north coast of Zealand to Gilbierg Head; 
thence across the northern approaches of the 0resund to the Kullen, on the coast of Sweden; 
thence in a southerly direction along the coast of Sweden to Falsterbo Light; thence across the 
southern entrance of the 0resund to Stevns Light; thence along the south-east coast of Zealand; 
thence across the eastern entrance of the Storestram Sound; thence along the east coast of the 
island of Falster to Gedser; thence to Darsser-Ort on the coast of the German Democratic 
Republic; thence in a south-westerly direction along the coasts of the German Democratic 
Republic, the Federal Republic of Germany and the east coast of Jutland to the point of beginning. 
Division III d) (commonly known as the Baltic Sea) 
The waters of the Baltic Sea and its dependent gulfs, bights and firths, bounded to the west by a 
line drawn from Falsterbo Light on the south-west coast of Sweden, across the southern entrance of 
the 0resund to Stevns Light; thence along the south-east coast of Zealand; thence across the 
eastern entrance of the Storstram Sound; thence along the east coast of the island of Falster to 
Gedser; thence to Darsser-Ort on the coast of the German Democratic Republic. 
Sub-area IV (commonly knwon as the North Sea) 
The waters bounded by a line beginning at a point on the coast of Norway in 62°00' north latitude; 
thence due west to 4°00' west longitude; thence due south to the coast of Scotland; thence in an 
easterly and southerly direction along the coasts of Scotland and England to a point in 51°00' north 
latitude; thence due east to the coast of France; thence in a north-easterly direction along the coasts 
of France, Belgium, the Netherlands and the Federal Republic of Germany to the western terminus 
of its boundary with Denmark; thence along the west coast of Jutland to Thyboron; thence in a 
southerly and easterly direction along the south coast of the Limfjord to Egensekloster Point; 
thence across the eastern entrance of the Limfjord to Hals; thence in a westerly direction along the 
north coast of Limfjord to the southernmost point of Agger Tange; thence in a northerly direction 
along the west coast of Jutland to a point in 57°00' north latitude; thence due west to 8°00' east 
longitude; thence due north to 57°30' north latitude; thence due west to 7°00' east longitude; 
thence due north to the coast of Norway, thence in a north-westerly direction along the coast of 
Norway to the point of beginning. 
Division IV a) (commonly known as the Northern North Sea) 
The waters bounded by a line beginning at a point on the coast of Norway in 62°00' north latitude; 
thence due west to 4°00' west longitude; thence due south to the coast of Scotland; thence in an 
3.6.82 Official Journal of the European Communities NoC 140/5 
easterly and southerly direction along the coast of Scotland to a point in 57°30' north latitude; 
thence due east to 7°00' east longitude; thence due north to the coast of Norway; thence in a 
north-westerly direction along the coast of Norway to the point of beginning. 
Division IV b) (commonly known as the Central North Sea) 
The waters bounded by a line beginning at a point on the west coast of Denmark in 57° 00' north 
latitude; thence due west to 8°00' east longitude; thence due north to 57°30' north latitude; thence 
due west to the coast of Scotland; thence in a southerly direction along the coasts of Scotland and 
England to a point in 53°30' north latitude; thence due east to the coast of the Federal Republic of 
Germany; thence in a north-easterly direction along the coast of the Federal Republic of Germany 
to the western terminus of its boundary with Denmark; thence along the west coast of Jutland to 
Thyboron; thence in a southerly and easterly direction along the south coast of the Limfjord to 
Egensekloster Point; thence across the eastern entrance of the Limfjord to Hals; thence in a 
westerly direction along the north coast of the Limfjord to the southernmost point of Agger Tange; 
thence in a northerly direction along the west coast of Jutland to the point of beginning. 
Division IV c) (commonly known as the Southern North Sea) 
The waters bounded by a line beginning at a point on the west coast of the Federal Republic of 
Germany in 53°30' north latitude; thence due west to the coast of England; thence in a southerly 
direction to a point in 51°00' north latitude; thence due east to the coast of France; thence in a 
north-easterly direction along the coasts of France, Belgium, the Netherlands and the Federal 
Republic of Germany to the point of beginning. 
Sub-area V(commonly known as the Iceland and Faroes Grounds) 
The waters bounded by a line beginning at a point in 68°00' north latitude, 11°00' west longitude; 
thence due west to 27°00' west longitude; thence due south to 62°00' north latitude; thence due east 
to 15°00' west longitude; thence due south to 60°00' north latitude; thence due east to 5°00' west 
longitude; thence due north to 60°30' north latitude; thence due east to 4°00' west longitude; 
thence due north to 63°00' north latitude; thence due west to 11°00' west longitude; thence due 
north to the point of beginning. 
Division V a) (commonly known as the Iceland Grounds) 
The waters bounded by a line beginning at a point in 68°00' north latitude, 11°00' west longitude; 
thence due west to 27°00' west longitude; thence due south to 62°00' north latitude; thence due east 
to 15°00' west longitude; thence due north to 63°00' north latitude; thence due east to 11°00' west 
longitude; thence due north to the point of beginning. 
Division V b) (commonly known as the Faroes Grounds) 
The waters bounded by a line beginning at a point in 63°00' north latitude, 4°00' west longitude; 
thence due west to 15°00' west longitude; thence due south to 60°00' north latitude; thence due east 
to 5°00' west longitude; thence due north to 60°30' north latitude; thence due east to 4°00' west 
longitude; thence due north to the point of beginning. 
Sub-area VI (commonly known as Rockall, north-west coast of Scotland and North Ireland north-west 
coast of Scotland and North Ireland is also known as the West of Scotland) 
The waters bounded by a line beginning at a point on the north coast of Scotland in 4° 00' west 
longitude; thence due north to 60°30' north latitude; thence due west to 5°00' west longitude; 
thence due south to 60°00' north latitude; thence due west to 18°00' west longitude; thence due 
south to 54°30' north latitude; thence due east to the coast of Ireland; thence in a northerly and 
easterly direction along the coasts of Ireland and of Northern Ireland to a point on the east coast of 
Northern Ireland in 55°00' north latitude; thence due east to the coast of Scotland; thence in a 
northerly direction along the west coast of Scotland to the point of beginning. 
Division VI a) (commonly known as the north-west coast of Scotland and North Ireland also known 
as the West of Scotland) 
The waters bounded by a line beginning at a point on the north coast of Scotland in 4° 00' west 
longitude; thence due north to 60°30' north latitude; thence due west to 5°00' west longitude; 
thence due south to 60°00' north latitude; thence due west to 12°00' west longitude; thence due 
south to 54°30' north latitude; thence due east to the coast of Ireland; thence in a northerly and 
NoC 140/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 3.6.82 
easterly direction along the coasts of Ireland and of Northern Ireland to a point on the east coast of 
Northern Ireland in 55°00' north latitude; thence; due east to the coast of Scotland thence in a 
northerly direction along the west coast of Scotland to the point of beginning. 
Division VI b) (commonly known as Rockall) 
The waters bounded by a line beginning at a point in 60°00' north latitude, 12°00' west longitude; 
thence due west to 18°00' west longitude; thence due south to 54°30' north latitude; thence due east 
to 12°00' west longitude; thence due north to the point of beginning. 
Sub-area VII (commonly known as the Irish Sea, West of Ireland and Porcupine Bank, south coast of 
Ireland, Bristol Channel and English Channel) 
The waters bounded by a line beginning at a point on the west coast of Ireland in 54° 30' north 
latitude; thence due west to 18°00' west longitude; thence due south to 48°00' north latitude; 
thence due east to the coast of France; thence in a northerly and north-easterly direction along the 
coast of France to a point in 51°00' north latitude; thence due west to the south-east coast of 
England; thence in a westerly and northerly direction along the coasts of England, Wales and 
Scotland to a point on the west coast of Scotland in 55°00' north latitude; thence due west to the 
coast of Northern Ireland; thence in a northerly and westerly direction along the coasts of 
Northern Ireland and Ireland to the point of beginning. 
Division VII a) (commonly known as the Irish Sea) 
The waters bounded by a line beginning at a point on the west coast of Scotland in 55°00' north 
latitude; thence due west to the coast of Northern Ireland; thence in a southerly direction along the 
coasts of Northern Ireland and Ireland to a point on the south-east coast of Ireland in 52° 00' north 
latitude; thence due east to the coast of Wales; thence in a north-easterly and northerly direction 
along the coasts of Wales, England and Scotland to the point of beginning. 
Division VII b), c) (commonly known as the West of Ireland and Porcupine Bank) 
The waters bounded by a line beginning at a point on the west coast of Ireland in 54° 30' north 
latitude; thence due west to 18°00' west longitude; thence due south to 52°30' north latitude; 
thence due east to the coast of Ireland; thence in a northerly direction along the west coast of 
Ireland to the point of beginning. 
Division VII d) (commonly known as the Eastern English Channel) 
The waters bounded by a line beginning at a point on the west coast of France in 51°00' north 
latitude; thence due west to the coast of England; thence in a westerly direction along the south 
coast of England to 2°00' west longitude; thence south to the coast of France at Cape de la Hague; 
thence in a north-easterly direction along the coast of France to the point of beginning. 
Division VII e) (commonly known as the Western English Channel) 
The waters bounded by a line beginning on the south coast of England in 2°00' west longitude; 
thence in a southerly and westerly direction along the coast of England to a point on the south-west 
coast in 50°00' north latitude; thence due west to 7°00' west longitude; thence due south to 49°30' 
north latitude; thence due east.to 5°00' west longitude; thence due south to 48°00' north latitude; 
thence due east to the coast of France; thence in a northerly and north-easterly direction along the 
coast of France to Cape de la Hague; thence due north to the point of beginning. 
Division VIIf) (commonly known as the Bristol Channel) 
The waters bounded by a line beginning at a point on the south coast of Wales in 5° 00' west 
longitude; thence due south to 51°00' north latitude; thence due west to 6°00' west longitude; 
thence due south to 50°30' north latitude; thence due west to 7°00' west longitude; thence due 
south to 50°00' north latitude; thence due east to the coast of England; thence along the south-west 
coast of England and the south coast of Wales to the point of beginning. 
3.6.82 Official Journal of the European Communities No C No C 140/7 
Division VII g)-k) (commonly known as the south coast of Ireland) 
The waters bounded by a line beginning at a point in 52° 30' north latitude on the west coast of 
Ireland; thence due west to 18°00' west longitude; thence due south to 48°00' north latitude; thence 
due east to 5°00' west longitude; thence due north to 49°30' north latitude; thence due west to 
7°00' west longitude; thence due north to 50°30' north latitude; thence due east to 6°00' west 
longitude; thence due north to 51°00' north latitude; thence due east to 5°00' west longitude; 
thence due north to the south coast of Wales; thence in a north-westerly direction along the coast 
of Wales to a point in 52°00' north latitude; thence due west to the south-east coast of Ireland; 
thence in a south-westerly direction along the coast of Ireland to the point of beginning. 
Sub-area VIII (commonly known as the Bay of Biscay) 
The waters bounded by a line beginning at a point on the coast of France in 48°00' north latitude; 
thence due west to 18°00' west longitude; thence due south to 43°00' north latitude; thence due east 
to the coast of Spain; thence in a northerly direction along the coasts of Spain and France to the 
point of beginning. 
Sub-area IX (commonly known as Portuguese waters) 
The waters bounded by a line beginning at a point on the coast of Spain in 43°00' north latitude; 
thence due west to 18°00' west longitude; thence due south to 36°00' north latitude; thence due east 
to a point on the coast of Spain (Punta Marroqui isthmus) in 5°36' west longitude; thence in a 
north-westerly direction along the south-west coast of Spain, the coast of Portugal and the north­
west coast of Spain to the point of beginning. 
Sub-area X (commonly known as the Azores Grounds) 
The waters bounded by a line beginning at a point in 48°00' north latitude, 18°00' west longitude; 
thence due west to 42°00' west longitude; thence due south to 36°00' north latitude; thence due east 
to 18°00' west longitude; thence due north to the point of beginning. 
Sub-area XII (commonly known as north of Azores) 
The waters bounded by a line beginning at a point in 62°00' north latitude, 15°00' west longitude; 
thence due west to 27°00' west longitude; thence due south to 59°00' north latitude; thence due 
west to 42°00' west longitude; thence due south to 48°00' north latitude; thence due east to 18°00' 
west longitude; thence due north to 60°00' north latitude; thence due east to 15°00' west longitude; 
thence due north to the point of beginning. 
Sub-area XIV (commonly known as East Greenland) 
The waters bounded by a line from the geographic North Pole along the meridian of 40° 00' west 
longitude to the north coast of Greenland; thence in an easterly and southerly direction along the 
coast of Greenland to a point in 44° 00' west longitude; thence due south to 59° 00' north latitude; 
thence due east to 27°00' west longitude; thence due north to 68°00' north latitude; thence due east 
to 11°00' west longitude; thence due north to the geographic North Pole.