Research Document - 2003/084
Newfoundland East and Southeast Coast Herring - An assessment of Stocks to the Spring of 2002
By J.P. Wheeler, B. Squires, and P. Williams
Abstract
Results of data analysis from 2000 to the spring of 2002 are presented for four herring stocks along the east and southeast coasts of Newfoundland. Commercial landings in 2000 (3500 t) and 2001 (2300 t) continued to be low due to poor market conditions and price. Spring spawners dominated the catches; however, there was no dominant year class common to all areas. Three series of abundance indices were available for each of the stock areas including research gill net catch rates and acoustic survey biomass estimates extending back to the early 1980's, and commercial gill net catch rates commencing in 1996. Gill net and purse seine fisher observations were also available since 1996. The methodology to describe stock status differed from recent assessments. For each area, current status and future prospects were summarized in a performance report based upon interpretation of abundance indices, biological characteristics, and ecological considerations. For White Bay - Notre Dame Bay, stock status has not changed since the last assessment in 2000 and continues to be poor. The Bonavista Bay - Trinity Bay stock status is also poor; this represents a decline since the 2000 assessment. The status of the St. Mary's Bay - Placentia Bay and Fortune Bay stocks remain unchanged from 2000 and continue to be moderate to good.
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