Research Document - 2016/057
Assessment of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (NAFO Division 4T) stock of American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides), March 2016
By D. Ricard, R. Morin, D.P. Swain, and T. Surette
Abstract
While the American plaice stock in Division 4T of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation was historically the most important flatfish fishery in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, it is now at low levels with little to no prospect of rebuilding to healthy levels in the next 5 years. The stock was assessed using a Virtual Population Analysis that estimated time-varying natural mortality. The current spawning stock biomass of the stock was estimated to be 55,023 t, which is 40% of the limit reference point of 139,134 t. Under current productivity conditions the spawning stock biomass is expected to decrease over the next 5 years under TACs of 0 t, 100 t or 250 t. The lack of rebuilding prospects stems from the elevated level of natural mortality experienced by the population.
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