In this study, data relevant to the effects of fishing on deep-water fish species to the west of Britain are first collated and then used to evaluate these effects using a range of methods. These methods fall into two broad categories. An ecological approach comprising investigations of available trawl survey data, pre- and post-exploitation, and a second approach comprising single species assessments of the main deep-water species found in the area. It is suggested that this work be expedited so that future investigations of the effects of fishing on fish assemblages to the west of Britain can make full use of available data.