Research Document - 2008/076

Sentinel Surveys 1995-2007: Catch per Unit Effort in NAFO Divisions 2J3KL

By D. Maddock Parsons, and R. Stead

Abstract

Data from the Sentinel program in NAFO Div. 2J3KL are summarized and updated with 2007 data. Mean gillnet (5½”) catch rates (numbers of fish per net) in Div. 3K and 3L were relatively high in 1996 and 1997, increased to the highest value in 1998 and then decreased to 2003. Since then catch rates have trended upward from 2002 to 2007. In 2J, although catch rates in 5½” gillnet were very low in all years, they show a marked increase in 2005 and remain at similar levels through 2007. Small mesh gillnet catch rates have been more variable and trends are more difficult to discern, probably due to the ability of this gear to catch fish from two distinct size ranges. Linetrawl catch rates (number of fish per 1000 hooks) in Div. 3K and 3L showed similar trends to 5½” gillnet, decreasing from the late 90s to the early 2000s and then generally increasing in recent years. In 2006 and 2007, however, catch rates in Div. 3L dropped from the 2004-05 levels, and were the lowest catch rates in this Division for this gear. There has been no linetrawl activity in Div. 2J since 2001.

Spatially, catch rates have been variable from year to year and place to place. Higher catch rates have been most consistent from Happy Adventure to Little Catalina in 5½” gillnet, from Wesleyviille to Bay de Verde in small mesh gillnet and in linetrawl, high catch rates are more spatially widespread.

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