Research Document 1997/50
Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) on the Scotian Shelf and Southern Grand Banks: Evaluation of resource status
By K.C. Zwanenberg, G. Black, P. Fanning, R. Branton, M. Showell, and S. Wilson
Abstract
Halibut abundance, as estimated from the results of research vessel surveys in the management unit, is presently low relative to the available time series. Present landings are also low relative to the long-term (1883 - 1996) history of this resource. Survey results for the geographic range of halibut suggest that declines in abundance have been more evident for the southern Grand Banks than for the Scotian Shelf.
Loss rates from the Scotian Shelf have increased since 1971 and are presently at their highest value. The observed increase is likely due to increased mortality since halibut abundance in the northern part of the management unit (3NOPs), where migrating fish are predicted to go, has declined since the early 1980s.
Halibut size compositions show a reduced range of sizes in the present population (1994 - 1996) relative to that for 1960; however, present estimates do not include size information for 3NOPs while the 1960s size composition included data for 3Ps.
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