Research Document - 2007/055

Year Nine of the NAFO Subdivision 3Ps Fall GEAC Surveys: Catch Results for Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua), American Plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides F.), Witch Flounder (Glyptosephalus synoglossus L.), and Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

By McClintock, J.

Abstract

To enhance the fisheries research database in NAFO Subdivision 3Ps, the Groundfish Enterprise Allocation Council (GEAC) has funded surveys each fall from 1997 to 2005 directed at groundfish, with specific interest in cod, American plaice, witch flounder, and haddock. In this analysis, catch statistics, length and age distribution, and stratified analysis estimates of biomass, including age distribution estimates, and interpretation of results are presented. These results have also been presented annually during the regular Regional Stock Advisory Process (RAP) meetings in St. John’s.

In 2005, the cod catch weights were about one half those from 2004. There was a continued absence of traditional large catches seen in strata 318 and 319 at the mouth of the Halibut Channel. The survey yielded an abundance estimate of 4.5 million cod and a biomass estimate of 11 kt (compared with the 2004 estimates of 6.6 million cod and 23 kt): the lowest estimates in the nine years of survey. The numbers of cod for the 1998 and 1997 year classes (ages 7 and 8 in 2005) are estimated at one million, down to 30% of the 2004 estimate of 3.6 million, and down to 7% of the 2003 estimate of 15.4 million of these year classes. A greater proportion of younger fish is contributing to the abundance estimate, with 64% of the total estimate in 2005 being from cod aged 3 to 5 years, compared with 33% in 2004. Plaice catch numbers and weights increased by about 30 and 40% respectively compared with those of 2004. The abundance estimate of 40.5 million was up 75% from that in 2004 and the biomass estimate of 39.1 kt was just over double the 2004 estimate. Witch catch numbers and weights were down slightly by about 22 to 30% respectively from 2004. The estimated abundance of 5.4 million was actually up 8% from the 2004 estimate of 5 million, while the estimated biomass of 2.2 kt was down 15% from the 2004 estimate of 2.6 kt. The 2005 haddock catch numbers and weights were comparable to those from the 2004 survey. The abundance estimate of 1.6 million haddock was up 36% from 2004 and is the median for the nine survey years. The biomass estimate of 3.6 kt was up 60% from 2004 and is slightly greater than the nine year average of 3.3 kt and median of 3.1 kt. The general pattern of haddock catches being predominantly of the slopes at the entrance to the Halibut Channel remains. There also continues to be a large inter-annual variability in the magnitudes of the abundance and biomass estimates.

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