NAFO Divisions 4R3Pn Cod Tagging

Description

The findings of previous Atlantic Cod tagging, which are used for stock assessments, indicate that there are complex seasonal movements of cod within each management area. For this project, cod in NAFO ^{Footnote 1} Divisions 3Pn and 4R are being captured with hand-lines, measured tagged and released using two different types of tags.

Data gathered by the traditional tagging program has enabled researchers to calculate the fishing mortality (harvest) rate and study migration patterns and stock mixing. The goal of the data storage tagging program is to study the migration behaviour of cod and their depth and temperature preferences over time. So far, two distinct migration behaviours have emerged. The majority of fish recaptured have overwintered at great depths (more than 400 meters) in warm temperature (4–5℃), while a few cod spend the winter in shallow (around 30 metres) and cold waters (less than 0℃). The findings of this research may have important implications for the assessment and management of cod stocks.

Program Name

Fisheries Science Collaborative Program (FSCP)

Year(s)

2003 - Present

Ecoregion(s)

Atlantic: Gulf of St. Lawrence, St. Lawrence Estuary

Principal Investigator(s)

Claude Brassard
Fisheries and Oceans Canada