Science Advisory Report  2010/007

Silver Hake on the Scotian Shelf (Divisions 4VWX)

Summary

• Abundance and biomass have shown a declining trend since 1996, particularly in the case of biomass. Recently 2+ biomass (approximating spawning stock biomass, SSB), since 2002 has been at the lowest levels in the times series (with the exception of 2004).
• Current relative fishing mortality (F) levels suggest exploitation is moderate relative to the historical period for this fishery.  However, Age 1 relative F has been high since 1998, with the exception of 2003-06 (2002-5 year classes).
• The 2007 and 2008 year classes are estimated to be near average in abundance.
• Total mortality (Z) for ages 2-4 declined from 1999 to 2003, but has increased since. Z for Age 1 fish was stable from 1986 to 2001, but has increased sharply in recent years.
• Condition shows a general decline from 1975 to 2002, but subsequently has improved, and is now near the long term average for the time series
• Length at age for ages 2, 3, and 4 have shown declines since the 1970s, but have been stable since 1995, although they still remain below the long-term mean.
• Since 1999, changes have been seen in the catch at age in the commercial fishery, with Age 1 and 2 fish now an important component of the catch compared to previous decades.  The high proportion of young ages currently being harvested may be preventing this stock from rebuilding.

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