Research Document 2024/027

Assessment of Capelin (Mallotus villosus) in NAFO Divisions 2J + 3KL to 2022

By Murphy, H.M., Adamack, A.T., Mowbray, F.K., Lewis, K.P., and Bourne, C.M.

Abstract

Fishery-independent survey data (spring acoustic survey, larval survey, biological characteristics from the spring acoustic and fall bottom-trawl surveys, and citizen science beach spawning diary program) were used to assess the status of Capelin (Mallotus villosus) in Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Divisions (Div.) 2J3KL up to and including 2022. There was no commercial Capelin fishery in 2022 due to market reasons. In 2022, the 2J3KL Capelin acoustic biomass index was above the post-collapse median and similar to 2018 and 2019, but well below the recent stock high of 2013–14 and a fraction of the 1980s median; Capelin were feeding well but immature fish were growing fast with a high proportion maturing at age-2; spawning timing was typical of the post-collapse period; and the Bellevue Beach (BB) larval index improved compared to recent years and was similar to the time series mean. Capelin fall relative condition was the highest in the time series, but the 2022 condition value may not be directly comparable to prior years due to an earlier than usual sampling time in Div. 3K in 2022 due to the Comparative Fishing Program. Therefore, the Capelin forecast model results can only be described qualitatively due to uncertainty in the 2022 condition value. The Capelin acoustic biomass index in 2023 is expected to be at or above the level of 2022. A 640 kt Capelin acoustic biomass index was selected as the Limit Reference Point (LRP) below which the Capelin stock is likely at risk of serious harm and is the level necessary to support the growth of the Northern cod (Gadus morhua) stock to levels last seen in 1983–89 (reference period for the Northern cod LRP). Since 1991, with the exception of 2013 and 2014, the Capelin stock has been in the critical zone. Consistent with the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) decision-making framework, incorporating the precautionary approach requires that removals from all sources must be kept at the lowest possible level until the stock clears the critical zone.

Research Document 2024/027 (PDF, 6,373 KB)

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