Research Document - 2005/088
Changes in biological characteristics of the fisheries of the Gulf of St. Lawrence (NAFO Divisions 4RST) since 1960
By Fréchet, A.
Abstract
The biological characteristics of fish and invertebrates harvested in the Gulf of St.-Lawrence (NAFO Divisions 4RST) show important changes from the 1960s to the early 2000s. These changes are characteristic of over exploitation which initially harvested large predators with long life span to end up 43 years latter with a fishery that takes place on small specimens with short life span. This is essentially due to the collapse of cod and redfish stocks and a recent increase in the fisheries for shrimp, lobster and mackerel. The mobile fleet was responsible for 72% of the landings between 1960 and 1985 but only 40% of the landings between 1995 and 2002. This reflects changes in target species from large demersals to smaller pelagic fish and invertebrates which are primarily exploited with fixed gear.
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