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The application of geostatistics in mapping and assessing demersal resources is reviewed. The basic summary of the methodology is illustrated with a case study on data for Nephrops norvegicus off Barcelona (NE Spain) over commercial fishing grounds. The geostatistical analysis revealed that N. norvegicus is distributed over the continental slope in high-density patches of ~ 7 km, alternating with areas of low density. Mapping by disjunctive kriging helped visualize the spatial distribution of the resource and identified areas where the resource abundance was of commercial level.