Research Document 1998/66

Assessment of Haddock on Eastern Georges Bank

By S. Gavaris and L. Van Eeckhaute

Abstract

Haddock catches from eastern Georges Bank fluctuated around 5,000 tons from the early 1980s to 1993. Under restrictive management measures, catches declined from 6,377 t in 1991 to a low of 2,111 t in 1995, but increased again to 3,720 t and 2,850 t in 1996 and 1997 respectively. About 70% of the 1997 catch weight was comprised of haddock from the 1992 and 1993 year-classes. The trend in ages 3-8 abundance from surveys increased from 1992 to 1995 and has fluctuated since then. Surveys indicate that the 1996 year-class may be comparable to the moderate 1983, 1985, 1987 and 1992 year-classes.

Total population biomass (ages 1+) has steadily increased from near historic low levels of 12,171 t in 1993 to 28,809 t in 1998. The recent increase, due principally to the 1992 year-class, but also supported by the 1991 and 1993 year-classes, was enhanced by increased survivorship of young haddock resulting from reduced capture of small fish in the fisheries. The abundance of the 1996 year-class was estimated at about 13 million. The incoming 1995 and 1997 year-classes appear relatively weak at about 6 and 3 million respectively. Exploitation rate for ages 4 and older has consistently been below the F_0.1 target of 20% since 1995. Reduced fishing mortality in recent years has resulted in increased survival of incoming year-classes and greater abundance at older ages.

Combined Canada/USA projected yield at F_0.1 = 0.25 in 1998 would be about 6,000 t. If fished at F_0.1 in 1998, the biomass for ages 3 and older is projected to increase from 22,726 t to 28,012 t at the beginning of 1999. The 1996 year-class was estimated to contribute almost 30% to the 1999 age 3+ biomass. A catch of 3,000 t in 1998, about what was caught in 1997, results in a negligible risk that fishing mortality rate will exceed F_0.1 and that the biomass for ages 3 and older will decrease. That same yield gives risks of 10% and 35% that an increase in biomass of 10% and 20% respectively would not be achieved.

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