Research Document - 1999/152
Update on the Status of Unit 3 Redfish, 1999.
By R. Branton
Abstract
This document summarizes commercial fishery and research survey data for Unit 3 (4Wdehkl and 4X) redfish to October 1999. Recent landings were slightly lower than the average of the previous 4 years and well below the TAC. Most of the reported catch for the period 1998-99 (to Oct) was taken by small otter trawlers (<65'), fishing almost entirely in the Crowell and Jordan basin portions of the Gulf of Maine. Fishing success of small otter trawlers in LaHave and Emerald basins improved in 1999 over 1998, mainly due to the discovery of new fishing locations in that area. Catch rates of larger redfish was consistently good and small redfish were generally avoided. The 1999 survey biomass estimate was judged to be not greatly different than average since the late 1980s. Indications of small redfish continue in the area north and east of Brown's Bank. Catches of about 10,000t in 2000/01 would probably not exceed F0.1. The present exploitation rate is fairly low, thus there is no biological or fishery basis to suggest a need for change in the management of the resource at this time.
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