Research Document - 2009/092
Overview of Sentinel Surveys in NAFO Divisions 2J3KL and Subdivision 3Ps: 1995-2008
By D. Maddock Parsons and R. Stead
Abstract
Data from the Sentinel program in the Newfoundland and Labrador region (NAFO Div. 2J3KL and Subdiv. 3Ps) are summarized and updated with 2007 and 2008 data. Average annual catch rates for 5½ inch gillnet (number of fish per net) in 2008 are the highest in the time series for Div. 2J and 3K, and second highest in Div. 3L. In Subdiv. 3Ps, however, catch rates since 2000 have remained at a much lower level than 1996-97 values. Small mesh gillnet (3¼ inch) catch rates have been more variable and trends are more difficult to discern; probably due to the ability of this gear to catch fish from two distinct size ranges. Linetrawl catch rates (number of fish per 1000 hooks) in Div. 3K and 3L showed trends similar to 5½ inch gillnet until 2005, decreasing from the late 1990s to the early 2000s, and then generally increasing. A drop in Div. 3K catch rates in 2006 was followed by an increase to 2008, which is the second highest catch rate in the series. In 2006, catch rates in Div. 3L dropped from the 2004-05 levels, and remain at about the lowest catch rates for this gear in this Division in 2007-08. In Subdiv. 3Ps, linetrawl catch rates decreased from 1996 to 2000 and then were variable, but generally increased to 2008. There has been no Sentinel linetrawl activity in Div. 2J since 2001.
Spatially and temporally, catch rates were variable from year to year and place to place. Higher catch rates have been most consistent from Happy Adventure to Little Catalina in 5½ inch gillnet, from Wesleyville to Bay de Verde in small mesh gillnet and high catch rates were more spatially widespread in linetrawl.
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