Research Document - 1999/017

Flatfish Stock Assessment for the West Coast of Canada for 1998 and recommended yield options for 1999

By Jeff Fargo

Abstract

Interim assessments were prepared for important stocks of flatfish caught in the B.C. trawl fishery. A summary of landing statistics including the observations from the 1997 fishery is presented for all of these. Additional data was available for only two stocks, Hecate Strait rock sole and Hecate Strait English sole. Assessments for those two stocks have been updated accordingly. There is no change from last year in any of the yield recommendations.

Landings for Area 3C-D and 5C-E Dover sole declined in 1997 and were below the low risk level identified last year. Landings of Petrale sole in Area 3C-D in 1997 were similar to those in 1996. These stocks are at low abundance and a coast-wide bycatch cap limits the current fishery for this species.

Rock sole biomass in Areas 5C-D in 1997 was above the long-term average for the last 50 years and declined slightly from 1996. The estimate of fishing mortality for the stock in 1997, was F =0.14, below F_0.1 (F=0.22). With fixed exploitation at this level there is a 95% chance that the stock will maintain its spawning biomass and ensure the recruitment necessary to sustain itself in the future. English sole biomass in Areas 5C-D in 1997 was slightly above the long-term average for the last 50 years and increased slightly from 1996. The estimate of fishing mortality for the stock in 1997 was F=0.16, below F_0.1 (F=0.25). With fixed exploitation at this level there is a 84% chance that the stock will maintain its spawning biomass and ensure the recruitment necessary to sustain itself in the future.

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