Research Document - 2005/061

Redfish Catch Results form Summer 2003 Survey in Unit 2

By McClintock, J.

Abstract

To enhance the fisheries research database in Unit 2, NAFO Subdivisions 3Pn, 3Ps, 4Vn, and 4Vs, the Groundfish Enterprise Allocation Council (GEAC) has funded redfish surveys during winter 1997, and summer 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2003. 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 analysed 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 sixth such GEAC redfish survey in Unit 2 following on the previous 1997 to 2001 surveys. Catch statistics, length distribution, and stratified analysis estimates of redfish abundance and biomass, and interpretation of results are presented.

The 2003 Unit 2 biomass estimate of 82 ktonnes is down 57 and 45% from the 2001 and 2000 estimates of 141 ktonnes and 169 ktonnes, respectively. The estimate is the lowest in survey history, down 4% from the 1999 estimate of 94 ktonnes. The total abundance in 2003 is 175 million, less than half the 2002 estimate of 404 million and just below the pervious lowest estimate of 182 million in 1999. The greatest decrease is in 4Vs where the biomass estimate is down 60% from the 2001 survey: there appears to be a significant reduction in the numbers of the 1988 year class seen there compared with 2001. The 1988 year-class, remains absent from 3Pn and 4Vn and is at comparable (low) levels in 3Ps. The 1980 yearclass is still present in all subdivisions at magnitudes that are slightly reduced but comparable to the 2001 survey. 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 and on both sides of the Channel appear to be less in 2003. Distributions northwest of St. Pierre Bank in 3Ps which had been somewhat consistent in previous years are smaller in 2003. Depth and oceanographic conditions may be factors associated with these aggregations.

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