Research Document - 2015/016

Pollock (Pollachius virens) in NAFO Subdivision 3Ps

By E. M. Lee, R. Rideout, and D. Ings

Abstract

An overview of the status of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Subdivision (Subdiv.) 3Ps pollock stock is provided. Sources of information included data from commercial landings (1960 to 2013) and data from the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) research vessel (RV) surveys (1972-2013).

Although pollock in Subdiv. 3Ps have been fished commercially since the early 1960s, since 1991 it has generally been a bycatch fishery. Catches of pollock in the early 1960s declined from 4500 t in 1960 when most of the catch was taken by Spain. Since the extension of jurisdiction in 1977, catches have been mainly taken by Canada and France (St. Pierre). Catches were generally low from 1967‑82 being less than 1000 t annually. Catches gradually increased, peaking at 7500 t in 1986 with the entry of the French Metropolitan fleet to the cod fishery. During the cod moratorium (1992‑97) bycatches declined to pre-1980s levels and were less than 500 t. Bycatches since the 3Ps cod fishery reopened in 1997 have increased slightly but remain less than 1000 t annually. Reported commercial bycatch of pollock has remained relatively consistent from 1992 to 2013, ranging below 1000 t. Bycatches in recent years (2009‑13) were in the range of 500 t.

Estimates from biomass and abundance indices are highly variable over the 1971‑83 (Yankee 41.5 Ottertrawl), 1984‑95 (Engel 145 Ottertrawl), and 1996‑2013 (Campelen Shrimp Trawl) time series. Indices were generally low during the early 1970s and increased from the late 1970s to a time series peak in the mid‑1980s. Indices generally stayed low until 2009 but spiked in 2010 and 2012. It is important to note that this assessment attempts to monitor a semi-pelagic species with the use of a bottom trawl and survey trends are therefore unlikely to reflect true stock trends. Hence, the information available is not considered suitable to assess stock level and provide catch options. However, it is clear that pollock have never occurred in Subdiv. 3Ps in large numbers. Their contribution to the groundfish fishery is based on the infrequent occurrence and survival of year-classes in the extreme north of their range.

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