Research Document 1998/67
1998 Assessment of Georges Bank (5Zjmhn) Yellowtail Flounder
By J.D. Neilson and S.X. Cadrian
Abstract
Combined Canada/USA landings of yellowtail flounder on Georges Bank have been increasing over the past three years, and population biomass has been increasing since 1995. Other measures of stock abundance such as fishery catch rates and survey size composition support the view that the resource is recovering. Results from surplus production analyses suggest that total population biomass is approaching half the level that can produce maximum sustainable yield. Exploitation rates have been low during the past three years. Recent recruitment is improved relative to the 1980s, but is poorer than in the 1960s. With combined Canada/USA catches of 1800 t in 1998 (equivalent to total catches in 1997), there is negligible risk of exceeding F0.1, and a high probability that the population biomass will continue to increase. Recent management measures by both the USA and Canada have had the desired effect of rebuilding the population.
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