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Research Document - 2001/069

Assessment of haddock on eastern Georges Bank

By Van Eeckhaute, L, Gavaris, S

Abstract

Haddock catches from eastern Georges Bank fluctuated around 5,000 t from 1985 to 1990. Under restrictive management measures, catches declined from over 6,400 t in 1991 to a low of about 2,100 t in 1995 and have since fluctuated between about 3,000 t and 5,600 t.

Total population biomass has steadily increased from near historic low levels of about 13,000 t in 1993 to about 56,000 t at the beginning of 2001 but remains below the average biomass during 1930-55 when productivity was higher. The recent increase is due principally to improved recruitment in the 1990's which produced the four strongest year-classes since 1978. The exploitation rate for fully recruited ages 4+ has consistently been below the F0.1 target of 20% since 1995. Reduced fishing mortality and avoidance of small fish in the fisheries in recent years has resulted in increased survival of incoming year-classes and greater abundance at older ages.

Projected total Canada/USA yield at F0.1 = 0.25 in 2001 would be about 9,700 t. While the adult biomass (3+) is not expected to decrease, the chance of a 10% increase is low. The population age structure shows good representation at all ages and a broad age range is expected to contribute to the 2001 catch.

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