Science Advisory Report 2018/010

Stock assessment of Monkfish (Lophius americanus) in NAFO Divisions 3LNO and Subdivision 3Ps

Summary

• NAFO-reported average landings from Divisions 3LNOPs over 2007-16 were 258 t (171 t by Canada).
• NAFO-reported landings from Divisions 3LNOPs were 160 tons and 374 t in 2015 and 2016 (respectively; 37 t and 89 t by Canada), and predominantly as bycatch from the Witch Flounder-directed trawl fishery.
• DFO-NL Campelen spring survey indices of Divs. 3LNOPs Monkfish abundance fluctuated from 0.9 to 1.7 million fish, and biomass between 3,500 t and 6,500 t in 2007-17. In 2017, the abundance index was 1.0 million fish, and the biomass index was 5,000 t.
• The area occupied by Monkfish remained relatively constant throughout DFO-NL surveys in both spring and fall; found primarily along the shelf edge in Div. 3O and Subdiv. 3Ps, and occasionally along the shelf edge in Div. 3N.
• Recruitment of Age 3 Monkfish in Divs. 3LNOPs over 2014-17 was less than 50% of the Campelen time-series’ average, and the lowest in the 2001-17 time-series.
• The relative fishing mortality index for Divs. 3LNOPs peaked during 2002-03, and then remained below the 1996-2016 average since 2007.
• Ecosystem signals observed in Subdiv. 3Ps in recent years indicated that structural changes are occurring, and overall ecosystem productivity may be low. Although the direct impacts of these changes on Monkfish life stages (i.e., pelagic eggs and larvae, bottom-dwelling juveniles and adults) are unknown, they imply that at least some aspects of Monkfish productivity may be affected.
• A proxy limit reference point (LRP) of 2,000 t was accepted for Divs. 3LNOPs Monkfish, based on the geometric mean of DFO-NL Campelen spring surveys over 2007-13.
• The Monkfish biomass index for Divs. 3LNOPs (B2017=5,010 t) was estimated to be 2.5 times larger than the accepted LRP (2,000 t).

This Science Advisory Report is from the November 1, 2017 NAFO Divs. 3LNO and Subdiv. 3Ps Monkfish 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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