Research Document 2018/061

Assessment of Monkfish (Lophius americanus Valenciennes 1837) in NAFO Divisions 3LNO and Subdivision 3Ps

By Simpson, M.R., Miri, C.M., and Colbourne, E.

Abstract

Monkfish in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Subdivision 3Ps and Divisions 3LNO constitute one biological stock, and encounters ongoing mortality in directed and bycatch fisheries conducted by Canada. Annual NAFO-reported landings from Div. 3LNOPs indicated that the Monkfish-directed gillnet fishery averaged 1,664 t in 2001-06, then declined to 255 t over 2007-14. Landings were 160 and 374 t in 2015 and 2016, respectively, and were reported mainly from Div. 3O. In Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO)- Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) spring surveys, NAFO Div. 3LNO Monkfish abundance and biomass indices were lower in recent years (2014-17) relative to 2008-12, and values for 2017 were the smallest since 1998. Based on Div. 3LNO fall surveys, indices of abundance and biomass generally declined after their peaks over 2007-08; in 2017, they reached their lowest values since 1998-99. The area occupied by Monkfish remained relatively constant throughout DFO-NL surveys in both spring and fall; they were found primarily along the shelf edge in Div. 3O and Subdiv. 3Ps, and occasionally along the shelf edge in Div. 3N. Recruitment of Age 3 Monkfish in Div. 3LNOPs over 2014-17 was less than 50% of the 2001-2017 average, and the lowest during this period. The relative fishing mortality index for Div. 3LNOPs peaked during 2002-03, and then remained below the average since 2007.

Ecosystem signals observed in Subdiv. 3Ps in recent years indicated that structural changes are occurring, and overall ecosystem productivity may be low. Although the direct impacts of these changes on Monkfish life stages (i.e., pelagic eggs and larvae, bottom-dwelling juveniles and adults) are unknown, they imply that at least some aspects of Monkfish productivity may be affected.

Using NAFO average landings for 2013-15 as status quo, total landings from Div. 3LNOPs in 2016 were 374 t: greater than twice the status quo of 160 t. In addition, recent declines in spring survey abundance and biomass in Div. 3LNO causes concern for the future of this stock when combined with recent low recruitment. For 2017, the Monkfish biomass index for Div. 3LNOPs is estimated to be above the accepted proxy Limit Reference Point.

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