Science Advisory Report  2016/009

Stock Assessment of North Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Subdivision 3Ps White Hake (Urophycis tenuis)

Summary

• Since 2009, the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) reported landings from Subdivision (Subdiv.) 3Ps averaged 310 tonnes (t) annually, while Newfoundland and Labrador (NL)-Zonal Interchange File Format (ZIFF)-reported landings averaged 243 t and were predominantly from White Hake-directed gillnet (71%) and longline (25%) fisheries.
• Using the past three years as status quo, current landings from Subdiv. 3Ps are below historic levels. In Subdiv. 3Ps, status quo landings was 261 t (195.5‑328.5 t, range ± 25%), while the status quo was 18 t (13.5‑22.5 t, range ± 25%) for Subdiv. 3Pn.
• Biomass of this stock increased in 2000‑03, generated by the large recruitment in previous years. Subsequently, the biomass index has declined.
• Recruitment in 2000 was very large, but no large year class has been observed since then. Recruitment was higher in 2011, but not comparable to the very high recruitment observed in 2000.
• Relative fishing mortality (Relative F) has fluctuated, but increased considerably in 2003‑05. Current estimates of Rel. F are near average.
• Available evidence suggests that current White Hake productivity, like other piscivores, may be hindered in Subdiv. 3Ps, therefore it is advised that higher than usual risk-aversion be considered in the management of these stocks.
• If White Hake in Subdiv. 3Ps is to recover, it will be due to favourable changes in environmental conditions that allow successive years of good recruitment. The most effective way to assist in rebuilding the White Hake population is to conserve as much spawning biomass as possible.

This Science Advisory Report is from the October 22, 2015 3Ps White Hake Stock Assessment. Additional publications from this meeting will be posted on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science Advisory Schedule as they become available.

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