Introduction to stock assessment

Unit 2.3: Research

In addition to monitoring, fisheries research is focused on generating new knowledge or understanding by exploring novel questions. Dedicated fisheries research is carried out to fill gaps in our understanding of fisheries. Common areas of fishery research include:

increasing knowledge of fish stock biology and factors affecting fish population size, structure, distribution, and movements
improving understanding of how management measures may affect stocks, such as setting minimum catch sizes or protecting spawning areas
exploring potential impacts of climate change
exploring new technologies that may improve or enable more frequent or less invasive fish stock monitoring
developing innovative quantitative methods, such as new mathematical models
collecting additional information about ecosystems and how various environmental or biological components interact

Example: Research on Atlantic Halibut stock structure

Genetic differences were found between Gulf of St. Lawrence Halibut and Scotian Shelf and southern Grand Banks Halibut. These findings support the current management units (Gulf of St. Lawrence Halibut managed as 1 stock, and the Scotian Shelf and southern Grand Banks Halibut managed as another).

Long description

This map shows where Atlantic Halibut genetic samples were collected on the east coast of Canada. Different colour circles show the areas where samples were collected.

Date modified:: 2024-08-08

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Introduction to stock assessment

Unit 2.3: Research