Research Document - 2004/30

2004 Evaluation of 4VWX Herring

By Power, M.J., Stephenson, R.L., Clark, K.J., Fife, F.J., Melvin, G.D., Annis, L.M.

Abstract

Landings in the southwest Nova Scotia/Bay of Fundy spawning component in 2003 (89,360t) were 12,000t higher than the previous year and the highest since 1993. Acoustic surveys in 2003 continued to show a spawning stock biomass (SSB) of approximately 500,000t but there has been deterioration in the state of the stock. The 2003 catch was dominated by age 2 (by number) and 3 (by weight) and there is an absence of old fish in the population, with increased targeting of juveniles by the fishery. SSB on both Trinity Ledge and Seal Island spawning areas remain well below historical levels. While recent catches have been consistent with the survey, assess, fish protocol of less than 20% of surveyed biomass, catch at age and the rapid decline of year-classes indicates that total mortality may be considerably higher. There has been insufficient progress towards defined conservation objectives in recent years.

Landings for 2003 in the offshore Scotian Shelf banks spawning component (less than 1,000t) were the smallest since the fishery was reactivated in 1996. The 2003 fishery was dominated by the 1998 year-class (age 5). However, bottom trawl research survey catches of the past six years have been the highest on record and herring were widely distributed on banks west of Sable Island.

Biomass estimates from acoustic surveys of the major coastal Nova Scotia spawning components were higher for all surveyed areas in 2003 with large increases for the Little Hope, Eastern Shore and Glace Bay areas. The Bras d'Or lakes fishery was closed in 2003 with only research gillnet sampling to document the age distribution.

There was a further drop in landings in the traditional New Brunswick weir and shutoff juvenile herring fishery to 9000t - the lowest since 1983.

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