Review and Assessment of the Georges Bank and Gulf of Maine Haddock Fishery

Abstract

The Georges Bank and Gulf of Maine haddock resource and fishery is reviewed. Nominal catches for Georges Bank averaged 46,000 metric tons annually during 1935-60 and then increased to a peak of 150,000 tons in 1965 as Canadian and distant water (European) fleets entered the fishery. Catches subsequently declined to an average of 5,000 tons during 1974-76 under quota and incidental catch limitations and then increased rapidly to an average of 21,000 tons in 1978-79. Nominal catches for the Gulf of Maine averaged 5,000 tons during 1935-66, declined to less than 1,000 tons during 1972-74 and increased to an average of 5,000 tons in 1978-79. Minor recreational catches have also been reported from the western Gulf of Maine in recent years. Total stock size (age 2 and older haddock) for Georges Bank, determined from virtual population analysis, averaged 140 million fish (153,000 tons) during 1935-60, increased to 530 million fish (427,000 tons) in 1965 and declined precipitously to 8 million fish (22,000 tons) in 1972. Subsequently, there was a substantial increase in stock size due to recruitment of the 1975 year-class. The 1978 year-class appears to be comparable in size to that of 1975. Instantaneous fishing mortality (F) for age 3 and older fish averaged 0.44 during 1935-60, increased to a peak of 0.79 in 1966 and subsequently declined as abundance decreased and fishing effort was diverted to other species. Trends in abundance and mortality evidenced by data from research vessel surveys since 1963 have been generally consistent with those indicated by virtual population analysis. Variability in growth of Georges Bank haddock during 1931-65 and pronounced