Science Advisory Report 2008/005
Assessment of American plaice in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (NAFO Div. 4T) in 2007
Summary
- Landings were 369 t in 2007 and have been at historical lows for this stock for several years (less than 1,000 t since 2002). Fishing effort has declined to very low levels in recent years.
- Key indicators for the stock, including the survey index of abundance and recruitment estimates, are near the lowest values ever observed.
- The growth of adults has been low since the early 1980s.
- Total mortality has averaged 0.54 since 1992 and remains near the long-term average since 1971 despite recent declines in fishing effort.
- Natural mortality is estimated to be very high, accounting for almost all of the total mortality.
- The spawning stock biomass is low and projected to decline by 2.4% in the absence of fishing.
- Prospects for rebuilding this stock are poor under current conditions. Rebuilding will require an increase in productivity and minimum harvests.
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