Research Document - 2002/080
Condition of Atlantic Cod in NAFO Div. 4X
By John D. Neilson, Peter Perley, Don S. Clark and Stratis Gavaris
Abstract
A measure of nutritional condition (Fulton's K, W/L3) was examined for Atlantic cod collected during research vessel surveys conducted in NAFO Div. 4X from 1970 to 2001. Low values of this index have been associated with increased natural mortality, and lower fecundity in other Maritime cod stocks. The indices for cod in Div. 4X were compared with published values and cod caught on other parts of the Scotian Shelf. Using the reference of published studies from the Northern Gulf of St. Lawrence, current values of K in Div. 4X do not appear to be near the levels associated with death/morbidity, or with reduced reproductive success. However, critical levels of K are likely stock specific, and comparisons outside the stock area must be viewed with caution.
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