Abstract:
The 1988 status of yellowtail flounder stocks off the U.S. coast
of the Northwest Atlantic is assessed using U.S. and distant water
fleet commercial fishery statistics and Northeast Fisheries Center
bottom trawl survey data. Assessments of Southern New England and
Georges Bank stocks are revised using virtual population analysis of
1970-1986 and 1969-1986 time series, respectively. Methods developed
for the preparation of catch-at-age matrices are presented for each
component: U.S. commercial landings, U.S. discard, U.S. industrial
catch, and foreign catch. Input design and results of yield per
recruit analyses and catch and stock size projections through the
beginning of 1990 are presented for Southern New England and Georges
Bank stocks.
Assessment results indicate dramatic increases in fishing
mortality for Southern New England and Georges Bank stocks during the
1980's; stock biomass and spawning stock biomass levels have been
severely reduced. Yield per recruit analyses indicate that 1986
levels of fishing mortality far exceeded F[subscript max] levels for both stocks.
Catch and stock size projections for both stocks indicate continued
reductions in stock biomass and spawning stock biomass; prospects for
stock recovery will depend on improved recruitment and reductions in
fishing mortality.
