Research Document - 2002/078

Status of three Wolfish species (Anarhichus lupus, A. minor and A. denticulatus) in Newfoundland waters (NAFO Divisions 2GHJ3KLNOP)

By M. R. Simpson and D. W. Kulka

Abstract

With the decline in the "traditional" groundfish resources in the waters around Newfoundland, interest in the exploitation of alternate species increased in the early 1990's. Two species of wolffish (A. lupus and A. minor), which inhabit Newfoundland waters, and are common as bycatch in other directed ground fisheries were considered as potential candidates for new or expanded fisheries. However, wolffish were not found in found in sufficiently dense concentrations to sustain a directed fishery. In the late 1990's, due to observed declines in both the numbers and weights, A. minor and A. denticulatus have been designated by COSEWIC as "threatened". A. lupus was listed as a "Species of Concern". This paper provides an examination of available information on distributions, trends in abundance and biomass from research vessel survey data, and recent history of the commercial landings of spotted, striped and northern wolffish. All three species declined in abundance during the 1980's and have remained low since. Reduction in extent of distribution as well as abundance was much greater north of 48^oN (northeast Newfoundland and Labrador Shelves. South of 48^oN (Grand Banks) reductions were minimal (perhaps even a slight increase for striped wolffish). Since the mid-1990's the abundance of all three species has been stable or increasing in the case of spotted and striped wolffish.

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Figures 10-16 (PDF, 1,5530 KB)