Research Document - 2000/130
An assessment of the American plaice stock in NAFO Subarea 2 and Division 3K.
By W.B. Brodie and M.J. Morgan
Abstract
The stock of American plaice in NAFO Subarea 2 plus Division 3K remains at a very low level. Catches declined to an average of less than 10 t per year during 1997-1999. Research vessel surveys indicate that the stock size is currently about 10% of the values measured in the early 1980's. Stock size has remained at this low level for several years following the closure of the directed fishery. Changes in the distribution of the fish were observed in the mid to late 1980's, and size and age at maturity declined through the mid 1990's. The relatively small catches from this stock cannot explain the large decline in abundance or the lack of recovery. With no strong year-classes present in the population, and relatively high mortality rates, the prospects for stock rebuilding in the short to medium term continue to be extremely poor.
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