Research Document - 2001/068

2001 Update of Stock Status of Georges Bank (5Zjmnh) Yellowtail Flounder

By Stone, H., Legault, C., Cadrin, S., Gavaris, S., Neilson, J., Perley, P.

Abstract

The combined Canada/USA yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea) catch has been increasing since 1995, and in 2000 was 6,895 t. While fishermen reported lower catch rates in 2000 compared with 1999, recent groundfish survey trends in abundance indicate that the stock is still at a relatively high level compared to the early 1990s. Population biomass (age 1+) has increased 10 fold since 1995, and is at the highest observed level since 1973. However, the age structure is truncated and dominated by younger ages. Recent recruitment has improved relative to the 1980s, and the 1997 year-class appears to be the strongest since 1973. The 1996, 1998 and 1999 year-classes appear to be of moderate strength. Exploitation rates on ages 4+ have been less than F0.1 (20%) in 1999 and 2000, while exploitation at ages 2 and 3 have not declined to the same extent. At the F0.1 yield of 9,200t, which corresponds to about 50% probability of exceeding F0.1, the biomass is not likely to decrease and there is an 80% probability of not achieving 10% increase from the beginning of the year 2001 to 2002. The dominant 1997 year-class is expected to contribute about 40% of the expected yield in 2001, and comprises about 32% of the total biomass.

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