Science Response 2020/011

2018 Maritimes Winter Research Vessel Survey Trends on Georges Bank

Context

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has conducted DFO Winter Research Vessel (RV) surveys in the Maritimes Region, Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Area 5Z (Georges Bank) using a standardized protocol since 1987. Results from these surveys provide information on trends in abundance for groundfish species in the Maritimes Region. While these data reflect trends in biomass and abundance and are a critical part of science-based stock assessments, a full assessment, including other sources of data, would be required to evaluate the impacts of management measures on population status.

The 2018 DFO Winter RV Survey was conducted on the Mersey Venture due to mechanical issues experienced on both of the vessels normally used to complete the survey, the Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Alfred Needler and the CCGS Teleost. The Mersey Venture was equipped with the Western IIA trawl and followed the standard protocols for the Maritimes RV surveys (Stone and Gross 2012). Both the Mersey Venture and CCGS Teleost were built as shrimp trawlers in the Langsten Slip-Batbygerri Shipyard in Tomrefjord, Norway, in 1988. They are of identical length and beam and are both powered by a 4,000 hp diesel engine. Survey indices from the Mersey Venture are not expected to differ from the two Coast Guard Research vessels normally used for this survey.

Fisheries and Aquaculture Management (FAM) requested a review of the DFO Winter RV Survey information on the following species in Strata 5Z1–5Z4: Cod, Haddock, Pollock, Yellowtail Flounder, Smooth Skate, Thorny Skate, Barndoor Skate, Winter Skate, and Little Skate. The survey information will be used by FAM as background for discussions with various industry stakeholders on recommendations for management measures, and to determine which stocks should be reviewed in more detail in 2018.

This Science Response Report results from the Science Response Process of June 29, 2018, on the Maritimes Research Vessel Survey Trends on Georges Bank.

Science Response 2020/011 (PDF, 2,170 KB)

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