Science Advisory Report 2008/054
Assessment of capelin in SA2+Div. 3KL in 2008
Summary
- Preliminary landings for 2008 in Div. 3KL are 28,216 t, similar to the TAC of 28,344 t.
- Interest in the fishery has increased in recent years partly related to higher prices associated with the recent closure of the Barents Sea capelin fishery (2004-08).
- The size and age of capelin continue to reflect changes that occurred in the early 1990s, that is, smaller and younger capelin contributing to the spawning biomass.
- The proportion of maturing two year olds observed in a spring acoustic survey has increased since the mid-1990’s.
- Fish harvesters have observed an increase in capelin abundance from 2006-08.
- Abundance, estimated from the spring acoustic survey in Div. 3L has increased from 2007-08; however, these estimates are considerably less than acoustic abundances observed in 1988-90.
- Egg deposition in Bellevue Beach in 2007 was the fifth highest since 1990.
- Larval emergence from Bellevue Beach in 2007 was the fourth highest since 1990.
- Spawning times continue to be about four weeks later than observed prior to 1991.
- Capelin are not undertaking diurnal migrations to the extent observed in the 1980s.
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