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Research Document - 2001/159

Assessment of Pacific Cod off the West Coast of Vancouver Island and in Hecate Strait, November 2001

By A. Sinclair, S. Martell and J. Boutillier

Abstract

The Pacific cod stocks off the west coast of Vancouver Island (3CD) and in Hecate Strait (5CDE) were assessed using the available commercial fisheries research survey data. A delay-difference stock productions analysis was used to synthesize these data. For the 3CD stock, indicators of biomass and recruitment are currently very low, but have been increasing slightly in recent years. Fishing mortality and fishing effort on the stock have been reduced and this should aid stock recovery. The current TAC plus carry over is 893 t. Catches in this range in 2002 would result in a decline in stock biomass and further compromise stock rebuilding. However, the TAC for this stock has never been caught. If catches continue to be similar to those in recent years, i.e. less than 200 t, there may be improvement in stock biomass.

An index of sea level height in Prince Rupert was incorporated in the assessment model for the area 5CD stock. High sea levels during January-March have been associated with high transport through the Hecate Strait area and reduced recruitment for the stock. Conditions have been unfavorable for recruitment through most of the 1990s, however, sea levels have declined in the past 2 years and recruitment may be improving. Stock biomass is estimated to be very low. Fishing mortality and fishing effort had been relatively high prior to 2001, however these were reduced in 2001 due to the reduced TAC, and this should aid stock recovery. If the current TAC of 200 t is maintained for 2002, the stock biomass may increase by between 25-35% and allow some stock rebuilding.

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