Science Advisory Report 2009/069

Assessment of Newfoundland East and South Coast Herring Stocks to 2009

Summary

• Reported landings in 2008 were 7600 t, 61% of the overall TAC. TACs were not taken in any of the four assessed stock areas due primarily to limited markets and the resulting impacts on some gear sectors.

White Bay‑Notre Dame Bay

• Reported landings increased from 362 t in 2007 to 714 t in 2008; 42% of the TAC was taken in 2008.
• A standardized performance index indicates that stock status improved from 2002 to 2005 and has remained stable since then; however, stock abundance remains at a low level compared to historical estimates in the 1970’s.
• Short term prospects are uncertain; the 2004 year class is below average but most mature year classes are above average compared to year classes produced since 1982. However, all year classes since 1982 are weak compared to historical levels.
• The status of this stock has not changed since the 2008 assessment.

Bonavista Bay‑Trinity Bay

• Reported landings remained the same in 2008 as in 2007, at 2800 t; 71% of the TAC was taken in 2008.
• A standardized performance index indicates that stock status improved from 2002 to 2007 but deteriorated in 2008 and again in 2009; stock abundance remains at a low level compared to historical estimates in the 1970’s.
• Short term prospects are uncertain; the 2004 year class is below average but most mature year classes are above average compared to year classes produced since 1982. However, all year classes since 1982 are weak compared to historical levels.
• The status of this stock has deteriorated since the 2008 assessment.

St. Mary’s Bay‑Placentia Bay

• Reported landings increased from 759 t in 2007 to 1148 t in 2008; 50% of the TAC was taken in 2008.
• A standardized performance index indicates that stock status deteriorated from 2001 to 2004, and has remained stable since 2005; stock abundance remains at a low level compared to historical estimates in the 1970’s.
• Short term prospects are negative; the 2004 year class is below average and most mature year classes are below average and are weak compared to historical levels.
• The status of this stock has not changed since the 2008 assessment.

Fortune Bay

• Reported landings increased from 2448 t in 2007 to 2550 t in 2008; 80% of the TAC was taken in 2008.
• A standardized performance index indicates that stock status deteriorated from 2001 to 2006, and has remained stable since then; stock abundance is lower than peak estimates in the late 1990’s.
• Short term prospects are negative; the 2004 year class is below average and most mature year classes are average or below average.
• The status of this stock has not changed since the 2008 assessment.

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