The stock structure of saithe is not totally clear; genetic structuring seems to be influenced by abiotic factors such as geographical distance, and bathymetry as well as biotic factors such as sex-biased migration, and natal homing (Saha et al. 2015).  ICES considers four assessment and management units within the NE Atlantic region: Barents Sea (Subareas I and II, Northeast Arctic), Icelandic (Division Va), North Sea, Skagerrak, west of Scotland and the Rockall (Divisions IIIa, IV and Subarea VI) and Faroe Islands (Division Vb). No assessment unit includes Irish waters (Subarea VII).