​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​WGEF was formed in 2002 from the Study Group on Elasmobranch Fishes (SGEF). The groups remit has been to:​

• adopt and extend the methodologies and assessments for elasmobranchs
• review and define data requirements (fishery, survey and biological parameters) for stock identification as well as analytical models assessment methodologies to evaluate the status of the stocks
• carry out such assessments as required by ICES clients

The group meets once a year to assess the stock status of elasmobranch populations in European waters and provide advice on the catch opportunities as well as give advice on other topics requested by the ICES clients (the European Commission, its Member States and Third countries that are party to ICES).