Proceedings 2024/009

Proceedings of the Maritimes Regional Advisory Meeting of the Assessment of Atlantic Wolffish Population Trends; February 9-10, 2022

Chairpersons: Leslie Nasmith and Rabindra Singh

Editors: Rabindra Singh and Una Goggin

Summary

Atlantic Wolffish (Anarhichas lupus) (listed as a species of Special Concern under the Species At Risk Act [SARA]) underwent steep declines in both abundance and area of occupancy over much of its range from the 1980s until the mid-1990s. Maritimes Ecosystem Research Vessel (RV) surveys (North Atlantic Fisheries Organization [NAFO] Divisions 4X and 4VW) suggest that abundance continued to decline on the Scotian Shelf in the 2000s and remains at low levels. Numerous factors make it difficult to confidently assess trends within the population and there has been no assessment for several years. Other data sources (such as other surveys, landings and observer data) exist that could provide information on the current status of Atlantic Wolffish. This regional peer-review meeting sought to provide answers to the following questions: (a) Given the data sources available (e.g., Fisheries Observer data, SARA logbooks, other Fisheries and Oceans [DFO] surveys, industry data), is it possible to develop a reliable biomass index for the Scotian Shelf portion of the population? (b) Can the index be used to understand population trends over time, and to assess and track fishing mortality over time? (c) What does the data reveal about species distribution patterns, potential drivers of population decline, range shifts, and/or sustained low abundances? Participants in this virtual meeting held from February 9–10, 2022, included, DFO Science, DFO Ecosystem Management, Province of Nova Scotia, Aboriginal communities / organizations, industry, and non-governmental organizations.

Proceedings 2024/009 (PDF, 327 KB)

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