Science Response 2015/015

Updated indices of abundance to 2014 for stocks of six groundfish species assessed by DFO Gulf Region

Context

DFO has conducted research vessel (RV) surveys in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Area 4T (Figure 1) using standardized protocols each September since 1971. In addition, two sentinel programs, a sentinel longline program beginning in 1995 and an August otter trawl survey beginning in 2003, have been conducted by DFO in collaboration with the fishing industry. Results of these surveys provide information on trends in abundance and biomass for groundfish species in the 4T area. While these data reflect trends in biomass and abundance and are a critical part of science-based stock assessments, a full assessment, including other sources of data, would be required to evaluate the impacts of management measures on population status. Fisheries and Aquaculture Management (FAM) requested a review of the DFO survey information on the following species in NAFO Area 4T: Atlantic cod, American plaice, white hake, winter flounder, and yellowtail flounder. In addition, information on witch flounder in the 4RST area (northern and southern Gulf of St. Lawrence) was requested by FAM. For this stock, data from RV and sentinel surveys of the southern Gulf were combined with data from similar surveys conducted in the northern Gulf to construct survey indices. A similar update of indices for these species was completed to the year 2013 (DFO 2014). The survey information in this update will be communicated by FAM to the various industry stakeholders for the intervening years of the multi-year management plan. The information may also be used to determine which stocks may benefit from a detailed review in future years. This Science Response Report results from the Science Response Process of February 27, 2015, on the review of indicators of status of groundfish stocks (American plaice, white hake, yellowtail, witch, winter flounder) assessed by DFO Gulf Region.

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