Research Document - 2005/084
Assessment of the Scotian Shelf silver hake population through 2005
By Showell, M.A., G. Young, R.K. Mohn, and G.M. Fowler
Abstract
The last complete assessment of Scotian Shelf silver hake was conducted in 2001 and included data to 2001. This assessment includes new information from the commercial fishery and research cruises, from 2001 to 2005. Attributes of stock status are generally poor. Survey estimates of abundance and biomass remain at very low levels. Growth at present is poor, with condition and length-at-age below long-term averages, although some modest improvement has been seen in these indicators. Total mortality, which had been high in the past, has declined for both age 2-4 and older fish which should allow survivorship and expansion of the range of ages in the population. The 2004 year class is thought to be large. However, recent good recruitment has not translated into a higher biomass, so the effect of the 2004 year-class is uncertain. Changes have been seen in the catch-at-age of the commercial fishery, and age 1 fish are now an important component of the catch. This exploitation pattern of the Scotian Shelf silver hake fishery may be unsustainable and efforts should be made to reduce the proportion of age 1 fish in the catch, though gear modifications or area closures.
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