Research Document 1997/112
The status of redfish in Unit 1 (Gulf of St. Lawrence)
By B. Morin and B. Bernier
Abstract
The fishery in management Unit 1 [Divisions 4RST + 3Pn and 4Vn (Jan. to May)] has been closed since 1995. Commercial catches before the closing were dominated by fish born around 1980 and at the beginning of the 1970s and were mainly of the species Sebastes mentella. The abundance of the 1988 year-class has decreased rapidly since 1991 and these fish were identified as being S. fasciatus. Research surveys indicated that the redfish stock abundance has remained stable since 1996. The high rate of exploitation and the lack of recruitment have resulted in the current low stock size. With the closure of this fishery in 1995, the abundance of the stock seems to have stabilized. At this time, there is no sign of any significant incoming recruitment.
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