Research Document - 2000/136

The status of Redfish in Unit 2

By Power, D., Mowbray, F.

Abstract

Three species of redfish are present in the Northwest Atlantic (Sebastes mentella, S. fasciatus and S. marinus [=S. norvegicus]). These three species are similar and are nearly impossible to distinguish by their appearance. They are not separated in the fishery, and they are managed together. The most abundant of these are Sebastes mentella and S. fasciatus. The range of both species overlaps significantly in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (Unit 1) and Laurentian Channel area (Unit 2). S. mentella is generally distributed deeper than S. fasciatus. The implementation of management Unit 2 in 1993 caused a change in fishing pattern from that generally in place under three former units (3P, 4RST and 4VWX). In UNIT 2, seasonal closures and a small fish protocol have also impacted fishing pattern, however harvesters are making adjustments and consider that fisheries in the recent past have generally been successful. Catches have declined from 27,000 metric tons in 1993 to 9, 500 metric tons in 1996. From 1997-2000, catches and TACs have been about 10,000 metric tons. DFO surveys between 1994-1997 and 2000 suggest stability. Industry based surveys support this between 1997-1998 but indicate some decline thereafter. Commercial catches are dominated by the 1980 year-class, which has provided most of the yield for the past 10 years. The 1988 year-class, which is not as strong as the 1980 year-class, is now fully available to the fishery. However, because the current fishery is targeting almost exclusively the remnants of the 1980 year-class (S. mentella), a decline in SSB is expected in the next 1 to 2 years. The prospects for both the stock and fishery in the next few years depend heavily on the degree to which the 1988 year-class (S. fasciatus) contributes to both reproductive potential and yield. The 2000 DFO survey indicates recruitment to the stock from the predominantly 1994 and 1998 year classes (S. fasciatus) accounted for 35% of the survey abundance index but it will be several years before these year-classes contribute to the fishery or spawning biomass. Questions remain concerning stock structure and mixing in Unit 1 and Unit 2.

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