Science Response 2018/028

Stock Status Update of Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) in NAFO Divisions

Context

Advice on the status of Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) in Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Divisions 4X5Y (herein referred to as 4X5Y Haddock) is requested annually by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and Resource Management to determine a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) that is consistent with the Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP). The most recent framework was completed in 2016 (Stone and Hansen 2015, Wang et al. 2017). A Virtual Population Analysis (VPA) model with M (natural mortality) at Ages 10 and older for three 5-year time blocks (2000-2004, 2005-2009, and 2010-2014) fixed at 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9, respectively, was recommended as the model for the 4X5Y Haddock stock assessment. Despite the uncertainties in estimating fishing morality at Maximum Sustainable Yield (F_MSY), it was agreed at this Framework meeting that a fishing mortality limit reference (F_lim) of 0.25 would be used when the stock is in the Healthy Zone, and a fishing mortality target reference (F_ref) of 0.15 would be an appropriate target when the stock is in the Cautious Zone. Given that the poor stock recruit relationship precludes the calculation of an appropriate biomass at Maximum Sustainable Yield (B_MSY), a more conservative biomass level from which the stock has recovered (B_recover ; Age 4+ biomass; 19,700 metric tonnes [t]) was recommended as Limit Reference Point (LRP) for 4X5Y Haddock. In the spring of 2017, Resource Management agreed upon twice the limit reference point (LRP), or 40,000 t, as the Upper Stock Reference (USR; Age 4+ biomass).

The most recent assessment of 4X5Y Haddock was conducted in 2016 (DFO 2017).  The 2016 assessment provided a two year projection of biomass and catch. The objective of this interim update is to report new information from the DFO Summer Research Vessel (RV) Survey (NAFO Divisions 4VWX) and commercial fishery landings data and compare this information to the 2016 assessment results and projection input parameters. The recent biomass trend is evaluated against reference point values.

This Science Response Report results from the Science Response Process of December 5, 2017, on the Stock Status Update of 4X5Y Haddock.

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