Science Response 2018/013

Scallop Fishery Area/Time Closure to Protect Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) Spawning Aggregations in NAFO Division 5Z (Georges Bank)

Context

The need to reduce the fishing mortality experienced by Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) on the Canadian portion of Georges Bank has led to efforts by the offshore Scallop fishery to reduce Cod bycatch. Along with active avoidance protocols adopted by the offshore scallop fleet, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has implemented area/time closures from early February to the end of March since 2005. The objectives of these closures are to reduce bycatch and minimize disturbance to spawning aggregations of Cod by the offshore scallop fishery on Georges Bank. To assist resource managers in determining appropriate area closures for the offshore scallop fishery on Georges Bank during the Cod spawning seasons, fisheries management asked the following question: “What does a review of eastern Georges Bank (subdivisions 5Zj and m) Cod distribution, particularly at spawning time, reveal about the spatial trends of the species and its overlap with the offshore scallop fishery? Highlight potential areas of high cod concentration in NAFO subdivision 5Zjm using the cells previously defined and used.”

This document provides information on the spatial distribution of Cod abundance on eastern Georges Bank during the spawning period based upon the DFO Winter Georges Bank Research Vessel (RV) Survey and its overlap with scallop catches on the Canadian portion of Georges Bank. In 2013, the most recent 10-year spatial distribution of Cod was compared to the full time series (starting in 1996). The results of this analysis showed that a change in distribution had occurred and, using the most recent 10-year average during the spawning period, more accurately reflects the current distribution of Atlantic Cod on Georges Bank (DFO 2013).

This Science Response Report results from the Science Response Process of January 16, 2018, on the Update of Scallop Fishery Area/Time Closure on Georges Bank to Protect Cod Spawning Aggregations.

Complete document (PDF, 281 KB)

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