Atlantic Groundfish Atlantic Groundfish

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Atlantic Groundfish Atlantic Groundfish Fisheries and Oceans Pêches et Océans Canada Canada Science Sciences Departm nt of Fishe.ries Oc QL Library 626 U5313 ne doit se qu'a des !ms 'études pnvées SE 11 2000 no.2 .. may de recherche Tout usage à d'autrs 2000 authon zation of the fins _ copyright owner peut exiger autorisation Ministère des Pêches et des c.2 du roit d'auteur Océan s O TTAWA ATLANTIC GROUNDFISH ATLANTIC GROUNDFISH 2 Groundfish species in the North- west Atlantic declined dramatically in the late 1980s and early 1990s, largely because of overfishing. Almost all Canadian fisheries for cod and several other groundfish fisheries on the Atlantic coast were prohibited for several years to allow the stocks to rebuild. By the year 2000, the abundance of most of these species continued to be low in most areas. Offshore fisheries are conducted mainly by large trawlers (>30 m), as well as small draggers, seiners Groundfish - so-called because they generally feed and longliners. Trawlers, draggers and dwell near the bottom, the "ground" of the sea - and seiners use bag-like nets (trawls) "dragged" behind them to sweep make up about half of Atlantic Canada's total catch of the seabed waters. Longliners pay out lines of hooked gear. all saltwater species. The relatively shallow waters of Much groundfish fishing is also the continental shelf - that submerged shoulder of carried on by inshore boats using seabed separating the continental shore from the gear set near or from the shore. Small boats of the inshore fleet deep ocean - provide an ideal habitat for fish. Canada's use gillnets, trapnets, handlines and longlines to harvest their Atlantic shelf, especially its shallowest portions - the share of the catch. renowned Grand, Georges and other fishing banks - In relative order of economic impor- tance, the principal groundfish provides some of the richest pastures of the sea for species are cod, turbot, haddock, breeding and feeding aquatic life. small flatfishes ( e.g., plaice, floun- der), hake, redfish, pollock and arm waters of the northerly halibut. Other groundfish species flowing Gulf Stream that are fi.shed commercially include mingling with the frigid cusk, skate, dogfish and wolffish, W commonly called catfish. Labrador Current create condi- tions particularly conducive to sustaining large populations of Cod (Gadus morhua) cod, flatfish, haddock and other groundfish species. Despite the dramatic decline of the l 990s, cod remain the most Northwest Atlantic fishing banks important groundfish species are very large - the Grand Banks on the Atlantic coast as in the alone cover 280,000 square kilo- beginning of the fishery in the metres - and extend seaward as early 16th century. In the much as 500 kilometres from the Northwest Atlantic, cod range coast, although most lie within from western Greenland south to the 200-mile zone set by Canada Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. in 1977 as its exclusive fisheries In each of the various regions of management area. Atlantic Canada, there can be one 3 fish species, haddock were once more abundant along Canada's east coast. Intensive fishing in the l 960s, however, greatly reduced the stocks. In the l 990s, most of the remaining fishery was located on the Scotian Shelf, the Bay of Co d Fundy and the Gulf of Maine. Haddock range from the Strait of or more identifiable cod popula- shallower waters in seasonal cycles Belle Isle to Cape Cod. In Cana- tion. There are at least a dozen thought to be triggered by tem- dian waters, they occur mainly on separate stocks, each with its own perature, food and spawning the continental shelf from the Bay set of distinctive traits. behaviour. of Fundy to the east coast of Cape The most notable characteristics While they are caught close to the Breton, and eastward to the Grand of cod are their heavy body with shoreline along the entire Canadian Banks, most commonly in depths three dorsal and two anal fins, an coast, the most productive fishing of 45 to 240 m. almost square tail and the pale areas are the offshore banks. Haddock are dark purple-gray on lateral line running along each Cod are harvested with longlines, the head and back. The lateral side of the body from the head trawls, seines, handlines, jiggers, line is black, and below it the to the tail. The large head has a traps and gillnets. colour lightens to silver-gray with protruding upper jaw and there a slight pink cast. A distinguishing is a prominent, fleshy 'whisker' Cod are sold fresh, salted or mark is the large, black, thumb- or barbel under the lower jaw. smoked. The bulk of the catch print spot appearingjust above goes into the production of frozen Cod vary in colour from shades each pectoral fin. Fish in the com- fillets and frozen fillet blocks used of gray, green, brown or red mercial catch are usually between in the production of fish sticks depending on the habitat and, 0.9 to 4 kilograms in weight. and fish portions. over a period of time, are capable Haddock are caught with otter of changing colour to match their trawls but other gear such as long- surroundings. The back and sides lines and gillnets are also used. are specked with many brownish to reddish spots. ' Haddock (Melanogrammus These fish are marketed as fresh and frozen fillets. Smaller quanti- Cod feed voraciously on almost all aeglefinus) ties are sold as fresh and frozen types of sea life. The young feed whole fish and as headless split upon small planktonic animals, Haddock, long familiar to fisher- and smoked fish (finnan haddies). small worms and tiny shrimp-like men on both sides of the Atlantic animals. As they grow older, they Ocean, belong to the same family consume quantities of small crus- as cod and pollock. Among the taceans and molluscs as well as most popular of the north Atlantic capelin, herring and sand lance. Cod taken in the commercial Haddock fishery are mostly between 45 and 80 cm and weigh between 0.8 and 4 kg; however, cod can grow to exceed 20 kg. Although they usually stay close to the sea bottom, cod may be found anywhere from the surface to depths ofwell over 500 m . Cod move in schools from deeper to ( A T LA NTIC GROUNDFISH 4 dark gray with silver underparts. When freshly taken from the water, they are silvery iridescent, but the bright colour soon fades. Fish in the catch range from 20 to 30 cm in length and weigh between 0.1 and 0.3 kg. Occurring from the Grand Banks to South Carolina, silver hake are mainly found on Georges Bank and on the Nova Scotia Banks, Po llock particularly on Browns Bank and the Sable Island Banks in depths of 55 to 275 m . Silver hake are Pollock White Hake generally found in the warmer (Pollach ;us virens) (Urophycis tenu ;s) waters of the Canadian Atlantic (7 to 10° C). Pollock are also members of the White hake are somewhat cod-like cod family. For years, these spirited, but have only two, rather than Formerly under-utilized in the saltwater fish were unappreciated three, dorsal fins, and only one Canadian fisheries and harvested except by sport fishermen. Now, anal fin. The colour varies consi- mainly by fleets of other nations, they are eagerly sought as a com- derably, with the back usually silver hake were fished almost mercial species in their own right. reddish to muddy brown and the exclusively by Canadians using belly pale gray, yellowish or white. otter trawls in the late l 990s. Pollock range from southern They are normally 40 to 100 cm Labrador to Cape Cod, but are long and are taken by otter trawls, fished primarily in coastal waters gillnets, longlines and handlines in and on the offshore banks of the the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, Redfish (Ocean Perch) Scotian Shelf, Bay of Fundy and and along the eastern Scotian Gulf of Maine. (Se bastes sp.) Shelf and western Grand Banks. There are three species of redfish Deep-bodied with three dorsal that are fished commercially in and two anal fins, pollock differ the Canadian Atlantic but they from cod and haddock by having are so similar that it is not possible a pointed snout and projecting Silver Hake to distinguish them easily. Redfish lower jaw. The back is brownish- (Merlucôus bilinearis) are also commonly known as green, paling to a yellowish ocean perch or rosefish and smoky-gray or green on the sides, Silver hake are members of the became commercially important and the belly is silver-gray. The cod family, but are more slender in North America around 1935 lateral line, like that of cod, is and have two dorsal fins. They are pale, but there are no spots. Fish in the commercial catch range are usually from 1 to 4 kg in weight. White Hake Pollock are principally caught with otter trawls, although other types of gear such as longlines, handlines and gillnets are also used. Pollock are marketed as Boston bluefish frozen fi llets or frozen breaded items such as portions and sticks. 5 American Plaice (Hippoglossoides platesso;des) The most common of the four small flatfish species, plaice are also the most important from a commercial standpoint. They range from southern Labrador Silver Hake and the Grand Banks to Rhode Island in the United States. Plaice are reddish to grayish-brown on the eyed side of the body, and white or bluish-white on the blind left side. They have a large mouth, an almost straight lateral line. The bulk of the catch is made up of plaice ranging from 31 to 45 cm in length and 0.3 to 1 kg in weight.
Recommended publications
  • Redalyc.A Review of the Flatfish Fisheries of the South Atlantic Ocean
    Revista de Biología Marina y Oceanografía ISSN: 0717-3326 [email protected] Universidad de Valparaíso Chile Díaz de Astarloa, Juan M. A review of the flatfish fisheries of the south Atlantic Ocean Revista de Biología Marina y Oceanografía, vol. 37, núm. 2, diciembre, 2002, pp. 113-125 Universidad de Valparaíso Viña del Mar, Chile Available in: http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=47937201 How to cite Complete issue Scientific Information System More information about this article Network of Scientific Journals from Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain and Portugal Journal's homepage in redalyc.org Non-profit academic project, developed under the open access initiative Revista de Biología Marina y Oceanografía 37 (2): 113 - 125, diciembre de 2002 A review of the flatfish fisheries of the south Atlantic Ocean Una revisión de las pesquerías de lenguados del Océano Atlántico sur Juan M. Díaz de Astarloa1 2 1CONICET, Departamento de Ciencias Marinas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Funes 3350, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina. [email protected] 2 Current address: Laboratory of Marine Stock-enhancement Biology, Division of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, kitashirakawa-oiwakecho, sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502 Japan. [email protected] Resumen.- Se describen las pesquerías de lenguados del Abstract.- The flatfish fisheries of the South Atlantic Atlántico sur sobre la base de series de valores temporales de Ocean are described from time series of landings between desembarcos pesqueros entre los años 1950 y 1998, e 1950 and 1998 and available information on species life información disponible sobre características biológicas, flotas, history, fleets and gear characteristics, and economical artes de pesca e importancia económica de las especies importance of commercial species.
    [Show full text]
  • Pleuronectidae, Poecilopsettidae, Achiridae, Cynoglossidae
    1536 Glyptocephalus cynoglossus (Linnaeus, 1758) Pleuronectidae Witch flounder Range: Both sides of North Atlantic Ocean; in the western North Atlantic from Strait of Belle Isle to Cape Hatteras Habitat: Moderately deep water (mostly 45–330 m), deepest in southern part of range; found on mud, muddy sand or clay substrates Spawning: May–Oct in Gulf of Maine; Apr–Oct on Georges Bank; Feb–Jul Meristic Characters in Middle Atlantic Bight Myomeres: 58–60 Vertebrae: 11–12+45–47=56–59 Eggs: – Pelagic, spherical Early eggs similar in size Dorsal fin rays: 97–117 – Diameter: 1.2–1.6 mm to those of Gadus morhua Anal fin rays: 86–102 – Chorion: smooth and Melanogrammus aeglefinus Pectoral fin rays: 9–13 – Yolk: homogeneous Pelvic fin rays: 6/6 – Oil globules: none Caudal fin rays: 20–24 (total) – Perivitelline space: narrow Larvae: – Hatching occurs at 4–6 mm; eyes unpigmented – Body long, thin and transparent; preanus length (<33% TL) shorter than in Hippoglossoides or Hippoglossus – Head length increases from 13% SL at 6 mm to 22% SL at 42 mm – Body depth increases from 9% SL at 6 mm to 30% SL at 42 mm – Preopercle spines: 3–4 occur on posterior edge, 5–6 on lateral ridge at about 16 mm, increase to 17–19 spines – Flexion occurs at 14–20 mm; transformation occurs at 22–35 mm (sometimes delayed to larger sizes) – Sequence of fin ray formation: C, D, A – P2 – P1 – Pigment intensifies with development: 6 bands on body and fins, 3 major, 3 minor (see table below) Glyptocephalus cynoglossus Hippoglossoides platessoides Total myomeres 58–60 44–47 Preanus length <33%TL >35%TL Postanal pigment bars 3 major, 3 minor 3 with light scattering between Finfold pigment Bars extend onto finfold None Flexion size 14–20 mm 9–19 mm Ventral pigment Scattering anterior to anus Line from anus to isthmus Early Juvenile: Occurs in nursery habitats on continental slope E.
    [Show full text]
  • (Symphurus Plagiusa) and the Offshore Tonguefish (S
    Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons LSU Doctoral Dissertations Graduate School 2003 The ecology of two estuarine-dependent tonguefishes, the blackcheek tonguefish (Symphurus plagiusa) and the offshore tonguefish (S. civitatium), in coastal Louisiana Theodore Scott wS itzer Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations Part of the Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology Commons Recommended Citation Switzer, Theodore Scott, "The ce ology of two estuarine-dependent tonguefishes, the blackcheek tonguefish (Symphurus plagiusa) and the offshore tonguefish (S. civitatium), in coastal Louisiana" (2003). LSU Doctoral Dissertations. 1305. https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/1305 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at LSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in LSU Doctoral Dissertations by an authorized graduate school editor of LSU Digital Commons. For more information, please [email protected]. THE ECOLOGY OF TWO ESTUARINE-DEPENDENT TONGUEFISHES, THE BLACKCHEEK TONGUEFISH (SYMPHURUS PLAGIUSA) AND THE OFFSHORE TONGUEFISH (S. CIVITATIUM), IN COASTAL LOUISIANA A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College In partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in The Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences by Theodore S. Switzer B.S., Clarion University of Pennsylvania, 1995 M.Ap.Stat., Louisiana State University, 2002 August, 2003 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First of all I would like to thank my major professor, Don Baltz, for his guidance and support throughout the past several years, without which this dissertation would not have been possible.
    [Show full text]
  • Greenland Turbot Assessment
    6HFWLRQ STOCK ASSESSMENT OF GREENLAND TURBOT James N. Ianelli, Thomas K. Wilderbuer, and Terrance M. Sample 6XPPDU\ Changes to this year’s assessment in the past year include: 1. new summary estimates of retained and discarded Greenland turbot by different target fisheries, 2. update the estimated catch levels by gear type in recent years, and 3. new length frequency and biomass data from the 1998 NMFS eastern Bering Sea shelf survey. Conditions do not appear to have changed substantively over the past several years. For example, the abundance of Greenland turbot from the eastern Bering Sea (EBS) shelf-trawl survey has found only spotty quantities with very few small fish that were common in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The majority of the catch has shifted to longline gear in recent years. The assessment model analysis was similar to last year but with a slightly higher estimated overall abundance. We attribute this to a slightly improved fit to the longline survey data trend. The target stock size (B40%, female spawning biomass) is estimated at about 139,000 tons while the projected 1999 spawning biomass is about 110,000 tons. The adjusted yield projection from F40% computations is estimated at 20,000 tons for 1999, and increase of 5,000 from last year’s ABC. Given the continued downward abundance trend and no sign of recruitment to the EBS shelf, extra caution is warranted. We therefore recommend that the ABC be set to 15,000 tons (same value as last year). As additional survey information become available and signs of recruitment (perhaps from areas other than the shelf) are apparent, then we believe that the full ABC or increases in harvest may be appropriate for this species.
    [Show full text]
  • CHAPTER 3 FISH and CRUSTACEANS, MOLLUSCS and OTHER AQUATIC INVERTEBRATES I 3-L Note
    )&f1y3X CHAPTER 3 FISH AND CRUSTACEANS, MOLLUSCS AND OTHER AQUATIC INVERTEBRATES I 3-l Note 1. This chapter does not cover: (a) Marine mammals (heading 0106) or meat thereof (heading 0208 or 0210); (b) Fish (including livers and roes thereof) or crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates, dead and unfit or unsuitable for human consumption by reason of either their species or their condition (chapter 5); flours, meals or pellets of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates, unfit for human consumption (heading 2301); or (c) Caviar or caviar substitutes prepared from fish eggs (heading 1604). 2. In this chapter the term "pellets" means products which have been agglomerated either directly by compression or by the addition of a small quantity of binder. Additional U.S. Note 1. Certain fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates are provided for in chapter 98. )&f2y3X I 3-2 0301 Live fish: 0301.10.00 00 Ornamental fish............................... X....... Free Free Other live fish: 0301.91.00 00 Trout (Salmo trutta, Salmo gairdneri, Salmo clarki, Salmo aguabonita, Salmo gilae)................................... X....... Free Free 0301.92.00 00 Eels (Anguilla spp.)..................... kg...... Free Free 0301.93.00 00 Carp..................................... X....... Free Free 0301.99.00 00 Other.................................... X....... Free Free 0302 Fish, fresh or chilled, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 0304: Salmonidae, excluding livers and roes: 0302.11.00 Trout (Salmo trutta, Salmo gairdneri, Salmo clarki, Salmo aguabonita, Salmo gilae)................................... ........ Free 2.2¢/kg 10 Rainbow trout (Salmo gairnderi), farmed.............................. kg 90 Other............................... kg 0302.12.00 Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.), Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and Danube salmon (Hucho hucho).............
    [Show full text]
  • Atlantic Halibut of the Gulf of St. Lawrence (Divisions 4RST)
    Fisheries and Oceans Pêches et Océans Canada Canada Science Sciences DFO Science Laurentian Region Stock Status Report A4-02 (2000) 52 3K Québec 50 4S 4R Terre-Neuve Québec 48 4T 3L Nouveau-Brunswick 3Pn 4Vn 3Ps Atlantic Halibut of the Gulf of 46 St. Lawrence (Divisions 4RST) 44 Background The Atlantic halibut of divisions 4RST can be found 4X 4W 4Vs 3O 42 throughout the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence. In the 70 68 66 64 62 60 58 56 54 52 northern Gulf, they are more abundant in the Esquiman, Laurentian and Anticosti channels, at depths of 200 m and over. In the southern Gulf, the highest concentrations are Figure 1. Map of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and found in shallower water (less than 100 m) near the Miscou adjacent regions showing NAFO divisions 4RST. Bank, north of Prince Edward Island, northwest of Cape Breton Island and around the Magdalen Islands. This species grows fast and continuously, at a mean rate of Summary about 7.5–8.5 cm per year (Figure 2). The growth rate for • Since 1995, mean annual landings of males and females is comparable, although female halibut reach a larger maximum size than males. Based on Atlantic halibut have been around 275 t, observations made during scientific trawl surveys twice the mean annual landings for conducted in January and May, it appears that the Gulf 1992–95 (135 t), but comparable to those halibut is able to spawn during those periods. of the late 1980s. They are still well The high landings of Atlantic halibut made during the first below the values of 1000 t and over half of the 20th century indicate that the Gulf stock was regularly recorded during the first half of under very strong fishing pressure at the time.
    [Show full text]
  • Fixed Gear Recommendations for the Cumberland Sound Greenland Halibut Fishery
    Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat Central and Arctic Region Science Response 2008/011 FIXED GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CUMBERLAND SOUND GREENLAND HALIBUT FISHERY Context In a letter dated March 14, 2008, the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board (NWMB) requested Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science advice on ways Greenland halibut fishing could be conducted in Cumberland Sound such that conservation concerns with non-directed by- catch of marine mammals and Greenland sharks are minimized or alleviated. On March 31, 2008, Fisheries and Aquaculture Management (FAM) submitted a request to Science for advice to address this request. Given the response was needed prior to the open-water fishing season (July 2008) and since the NWMB is the final advisory body for this request, DFO Central and Arctic Science determined that a Special Science Response Process would be used. Background The Cumberland Sound Greenland halibut (turbot) fishery began in 1986 and has been traditionally exploited during the winter months using longline gear set on the bottom through holes cut in the ice. Fishing typically takes place along a deep trench (>500 m) that extends toward Imigen Island and Drum Islands (Fig. 1). In 2005, a new management zone was established in Cumberland Sound with a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of 500 t separate from the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Division 0B TAC. Catches in the winter fishery peaked in 1992 at 430 t then declined to levels below 100 t through the late 1990s and peaked again at 245 t in 2003. However, in recent years catches have declined significantly with harvests of 9 t, 70 t and 3 t for 2005, 2006 and 2007 respectively.
    [Show full text]
  • Extinction Risk and Overfishing: Reconciling Conservation And
    Extinction Risk and Overfishing: Reconciling Conservation and Fisheries SUBJECT AREAS: BIODIVERSITY Perspectives on the Status of Marine SUSTAINABILITY ECOLOGY Fishes BIOLOGICAL MODELS Trevor D. Davies1 & Julia K. Baum2 Received 1 2 30 April 2012 Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada, Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada. Accepted 10 July 2012 Anthropogenic disturbances are ubiquitous in the ocean, but their impacts on marine species are hotly Published debated. We evaluated marine fish statuses using conservation (Red List threatened or not) and fisheries 7 August 2012 (above or below reference points) metrics, compared their alignment, and diagnosed why discrepancies arise. Whereas only 13.5% of Red Listed marine fishes (n52952) are threatened, 40% and 21% of populations with stock assessments (n5166) currently are below their more conservative and riskier reference points, respectively. Conservation and fisheries metrics aligned well (70.5% to 80.7%), despite Correspondence and their mathematical disconnect. Red Listings were not biased towards exaggerating threat status, and requests for materials egregious errors, where populations were categorized at opposite extremes of fisheries and conservation should be addressed to metrics, were rare. Our analyses suggest conservation and fisheries scientists will agree on the statuses of T.D.D. (tdavies@ exploited marine fishes in most cases, leaving only the question of appropriate management responses for mathstat.dal.ca) populations of mutual concern still unresolved. uman impacts on natural ecosystems are diverse and accelerating1,2. On land, where the primary threat to wildlife is habitat loss, recent comprehensive assessments of birds, mammals, and amphibians have revealed 13%, 21%, and 30% of these species to be threatened with a heightened risk of extinction, H 3 respectively .
    [Show full text]
  • For Summer Flounder Is Defined As
    FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE SUMMER FLOUNDER FISHERY October 1987 Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council in cooperation with the National Marine Fisheries Service, the New England Fishery Management Council, and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Draft adopted by MAFMC: 29 October 1987 Final adopted by MAFMC: 16 April1988 Final approved by NOAA: 19 September 1988 3.14.89 FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE SUMMER FLOUNDER FISHERY October 1987 Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council in cooperation with the National Marine Fisheries Service, the New England Fishery Management Council, and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council See page 2 for a discussion of Amendment 1 to the FMP. Draft adopted by MAFMC: 21 October 1187 final adopted by MAFMC: 16 April1988 final approved by NOAA: 19 September 1988 1 2.27 91 THIS DOCUMENT IS THE SUMMER FLOUNDER FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN AS ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL AND APPROVED BY THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE. THE REGULATIONS IN APPENDIX 6 (BLUE PAPER) ARE THE REGULATIONS CONTROLLING THE FISHERY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PRINTING (27 FEBRUARY 1991). READERS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THE COUNCIL ADOPTED AMENDMENT 1 TO THE FMP ON 31 OCTOBER 1990 TO DEFINE OVERFISHING AS REQUIRED BY 50 CFR 602 AND TO IMPOSE A 5.5" (DIAMOND MESH) AND 6" (SQUARE MESH) MINIMUM NET MESH IN THE TRAWL FISHERY. ON 15 FEBRUARY 1991 NMFS APPROVED THE OVERFISHING DEFINITION AND DISAPPROVED THE MINIMUM NET MESH. OVERFISHING FOR SUMMER FLOUNDER IS DEFINED AS FISHING IN EXCESS OF THE FMAX LEVEL. THIS ACTION DID NOT CHANGE THE REGULATIONS DISCUSSED ABOVE. 2 27.91 2 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Analysis of the Effects of Marine Stewardship Council Fishery Certification on Seabird Conservation
    Analysis of the Effects of Marine Stewardship Council Fishery Certification on Seabird Conservation Fisheries Certified February 2012 – April 2013 Black-footed Albatross: George Wallace, ABC White-faced Storm-petrel: Luke Seitz Sooty Shearwater: Greg Lavaty Scripps’s Murrelets: Peter LaTourrette David A. Wiedenfeld, Ph.D. American Bird Conservancy 646;"Nqwfqwp"Cxg0"̋"R0Q0"Dqz"46; The Plains, VA 20198 USA Vgn<"762/475/79:2"̋"Hcz<"762/475/79:4 www.abcbirds.org 25 April 2013 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................... 5 METHODS .................................................................................................................................... 5 CONCLUSIONS ........................................................................................................................... 7 RECOMMENDATIONS .............................................................................................................. 8 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................................ 9 POTENTIALLY HIGH RISK FISHERIES ............................................................................ 11 British Columbia Chum Salmon Fisheries ......................................................................... 13 FIUN Barents and Norwegian Seas Cod and Haddock Fishery ......................................... 17 POTENTIALLY MEDIUM RISK FISHERIES .....................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Yellowtail Flounder (Limanda Ferruginea) Ageing Manual
    NOT TO BE CITED WITHOUT PRIOR REFERENCE TO THE AUTHOR(S) Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Serial No. N4947 NAFO SCR Doc. 04/5 SCIENTIFIC COUNCIL MEETING – JUNE 2004 Yellowtail Flounder (Limanda ferruginea) Ageing Manual Karen Dwyer Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre Abstract This is a technical manual describing the methods and interpretations used for estimating age in yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea). The paper gives a general overview of ageing, and then discusses how yellowtail flounder are presently being aged at the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre (NAFC) in St. John’s, Newfoundland. It also provides information on the types of validation studies that are used to ensure accuracy of ageing, and attempts to troubleshoot any difficult aspects of ageing. The thin-sectioning method used to age this species is discussed, and includes detailed information on how it is carried out. The structure of the whole otolith were discussed, along with the limitations for ageing yellowtail flounder using this structure. This manual contains a glossary and high quality photos and diagrams for use when ageing yellowtail flounder. Introduction Age of marine fish can be determined by counting periodic markings on a variety of ‘hardparts’. Scales, vertebrae, spines and otoliths have been used to determine age in fish. In the case of flatfish otoliths are unique in that they have both symmetrical and asymmetrical sagittal otolith (Hunt, 1992). Age of fish is essential in fisheries management. Hence, accurate age determinations are a vital part of the scientific process of stock assessment and are critical for estimating mortality and growth rates (Chilton and Beamish, 1982; Penttila and Dery, 1988).
    [Show full text]
  • Plaice (Pleuronectes Platessä) Contents
    1-group plaice (Pleuronectes platessä) Contents Acknowledgements:............................................................................................................ 1 Abstract:.............................................................................................................................3 Chapter 1: General introduction.....................................................................................................4 Chapter 2: Fin-ray count variation in 0-group flatfish: plaice (Pleuronectesplatessa (L.)) and flounder (Platichthys flesus ( L.)) on the west coast of Ireland..............................15 Chapter 3: Variation in the fin ray counts of 0-group turbot (Psetta maxima L.) and brill (Scophthalmus rhombus L.) on the west coast of Ireland: 2006-2009.......................... 28 Chapter 4: Annual and spatial variation in the abundance length and condition of turbot (.Psetta maxima L.) on nursery grounds on the west coast of Ireland: 2000-2007.........41 Chapter 5: Variability in the early life stages of juvenile plaice (.Pleuronectes platessa L.) on west of Ireland nursery grounds; 2000 - 2007........................................................64 Chapter 6: The early life history of turbot (Psetta maxima L.) on nursery grounds along the west coast of Ireland: 2007 -2009, as described by otolith microstructure.............85 Chapter 7: The feeding ecology of 0-group turbot (Psetta maxima L.) and brill (Scophthalmus rhombus L.) on Irish west coast nursery grounds.................................96 Chapter
    [Show full text]