Research Document - 2001/014

Witch Flounder Catch Results from Fall 2000 GEAC Survey in NAFO Subdivision 3Ps.

By McClintock, J.

Abstract

To enhance the fisheries research database in NAFO Subdivision 3Ps, the Groundfish Enterprise Allocation Council (GEAC) has funded surveys each fall from 1997 to 2000 directed at cod and flatfish. The focus in this document is witch flounder. The continuing intent is to create a series of annual fall surveys in 3Ps to complement current resource assessment activities carried out by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). GEAC funded and performed the surveys with scientific guidance from DFO in the design and execution of a stratified random survey and the associated sampling. The data collected during these surveys have been subsequently analysed on behalf of GEAC and for the additional intent of providing this information to DFO, for their databases and their assessment work. This is the third GEAC survey to investigate in detail the witch flounder catch following on the previous 1998-1999 surveys (CSAS Research Documents 99/59 and 2000/026). One trip to perform the 2000 survey was carried out from 4-15 December 2000. These dates correspond well with the late-November and December time periods for the earlier two years. During the trip, set details and length frequencies were logged in the DFO FFS system and otoliths were collected for subsequent aging. Catch statistics, length and age distribution, and stratified analysis estimates of witch abundance and biomass, including age distribution estimates, and interpretation of results are presented. The results of the 2000 survey appear to be generally consistent with those of 1998, in terms of abundance, and with both 1998 and 1999 in terms of the age and length population structure and overall distribution of the stock in 3Ps. While there were dramatic increases evident for a range of year classes in 1999 compared with the 1998 survey, and the abundance and biomass estimates were all up considerably, estimates for the 2000 survey indicate a population more comparable with that in 1998 with perhaps a very slight increase. This would even more strongly suggest that the increased numbers seen in 1999 appear to have been a year effect with temperature, catchability, or population movement factors at play.

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