Research Document - 2001/145

Redfish Catch Results from Summer 2001 Survey in Unit 2

By J. McClintock

Abstract

To enhance the fisheries research database in Unit 2, NAFO Divisions 3Pn, 3Ps, 4Vn, and 4Vs, the Groundfish Enterprise Allocation Council (GEAC) has funded redfish surveys during winter 1997, and summer 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001. The continuing intent is to maintain a series of annual summer surveys 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 analyzed 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 fifth such GEAC redfish survey in Unit 2 following on the previous 1997 to 2000 surveys. Catch statistics, length distribution, and stratified analysis estimates of redfish abundance and biomass, and interpretation of results are presented. The Unit 2 biomass estimate is 141 ktonnes compared with the 1997 to 2000 values of 240, 222, 94, and 169 ktonnes respectively. Conversely, the 2001 abundance estimate of 404 million is increased from 2000 and 1999 values of 318 million and 182 million respectively, and down slightly from the 1997 and 1998 estimates of 486 million and 497 million. This would suggest that there is a greater estimate of smaller fish and a lesser estimate of larger fish. Overall, some level of stability can be inferred for the past five years with some additional presence of the smaller fish detected. Continued annual surveys are required to monitor the stock status. While still present, the 1980 year-class appears to be less prevalent compared with previous years. The 1988 year-class remains absent from 3Pn and 4Vn, is at comparable (low) levels in 3Ps, and is up dramatically from 2000 in 4Vs where values are quite similar to those seen in 1998. Certainly in 4Vs it appears that the 1988 year class is gradually replacing the 1980 year class in the adult population. The 1994 year-class first seen in 3Pn in 1998 and again in 2000 in 3Pn and to a degree in 4Vn is now evident in all divisions, although the numbers in 4Vn are quite small. The greatest increases are seen in 3Pn and 4Vs. The greatest concentrations of redfish continue to be along the southeastern slopes of the continental shelf. The numbers of fish within the Laurentian Channel and slopes appear to be less in 2001, particularly along the western portions. Distributions northwest of St. Pierre Bank in 3Ps appear generally consistent through all years. Depth and oceanographic conditions may be factors associated with these aggregations.

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