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Research Document - 1999/203

Canary rockfish assessment for 1999 and recommended yield options for 2000/2001.

By R.D. Stanley

Abstract

This document provides an analysis of the available stock assessment information on canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) in Canadian waters and harvest recommendations for the 2000/2001 fishing year. For Areas 3C+3D (west coast of Vancouver Island), this review proposes minimum and maximum harvests of 350-700 t, an increase from the 350-550 t range proposed the previous year. The document recommends a range of 175-350 t for Areas 5A+5B (Queen Charlotte Sound) down slightly from the 200-400 t range proposed a year earlier. There is little basis for determining optimal harvest levels for Areas 5C+5D (Hecate Strait) or 5E, (west coast of the Queen Charlotte Islands). However, for Areas 5C+5D; the document suggests consideration of a harvest range of 50-150 t. This brackets historical landings. A harvest range of 100-200 t is proposed for Area 5E, but note that the hook-and-line fishery is providing significant landings from this area. The document summarises the history of Canadian and U.S. landings, management and assessment history for canary rockfish.

Assessment methodologies continue to follow recommended procedures for "data poor" stocks. Historical mean harvests are evaluated as quota guidelines subject to: observed trends in age composition, catch curve analysis, CPUE trends and comments from fishers. We include a discussion of the information content of each data source. Also included is a brief review of a canary rockfish assessment provided by Walters and Bonfil (1999) and incorporation of those authors' concerns in the quota recommendations. Yield recommendations are discussed relative to current perceptions of decadal scale variation in groundfish recruitment.

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