Research Document - 2001/100
Assessment of the status of Div. 4TVW haddock: 2000
By K.T. Frank, R.K. Mohn, and J.E. Simon
Abstract
The current evaluation of the Div. 4TVW haddock stock status was derived from reported landings, shore and at-sea based samples taken from commercial landings for size and age composition, research vessel (RV) surveys conducted in March and July, and a fixed-gear Sentinel Survey conducted in the fall. Indicators of abundance revealed that the number per tow (1-29 cm) from the July RV rose dramatically in 1999 and 2000, reflecting the strength of recent incoming year-classes. Intermediate sized haddock (26-41 cm) have been steadily increasing and the highest value in the series occurred in 2001. The summer RV number per tow of haddock 42 cm + has remained very low throughout the 1990s, and the 2001 estimate is among the lowest observed. Spawning stock biomass has been steadily increasing since closure of the fishery and in 2000 exceeded the 1970-2000 average. The sentinel survey catch rate, which selects for larger haddock, exhibited a declining trend since the initiation of the survey in 1995. Some of the production indicators have been increasing since closure of the fishery. Recruitment at age 1 shows that the 1995 year-class is above the 1970-1998 average while the 1998 year-class appears very strong. Survey estimates at age 1 suggest that the 1999 year-class is also strong. Condition factors have generally been below average since the early 1990s. Growth, based on size at age 7, steadily declined throughout the late 1980s/1990s, which was preceded by a more rapid decline during the mid-1980s. Since closure of the fishery, fishing mortality rates have been low. Prior to the collapse of the fishery, exploitation rates were more than twice the F0.1 level of 20%. Currently, Div. 4VW haddock is an early maturing, geographically constricted stock plagued by poor growth (both under-weight and under-length) and high natural mortality that has recently produced good to excellent recruitment. The next few years will be pivotal to this stock given recent strong recruitment and improvement in environmental conditions.
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