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Research Document - 2001/104

Assessment of the status of 4VWX/5 White Hake, 2001

By A. Bundy, M. Fowler, W. MacEachern, P. Fanning)

Abstract

White hake on the Scotian Shelf are managed as single unit 4VWX/5Zc, but may consist of sub-components. The assessment undertaken here considers this potential stock sub-structure as far as possible. The fishery has been under restricted management since 1996, and since 1999 has been a by-catch fishery only, with a quota cap placed on the fixed gear fishery < 45 ft. Catches have remained within quota limits. However, an analysis of the species composition of the catch indicates that in 4VW, most white hake is still landed as the main species. The status of white hake was analyzed using data from DFO Research Surveys, Industry Sentinel Surveys and a Commercial Index for 4VsW. There are signs of recovery of white hake in the western stock area (4X/5), but there are no signs of recruitment of white hake in 2000 or 2001. The abundance of white hake in the eastern area (4Vn and 4VsW) continues to be very low, despite reduced catches. Here, it would appear that small fish are not surviving to grow into large fish, in contrast to the situation in the western stock area. An analysis of total mortality indicates that mortality on the eastern shelf has steadily increased since the late 1970s. In all areas, the mean length of fish has decreased over time, with a loss of larger fish in the populations, particularly in 4VW. A Traffic Light analysis summarizes the status of white hake in 4VsW and in 4X/5.

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