5. DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND OCEANS, CANADA

  1. Agency overview

    A major re-organisation of DFO science programs was implemented in April 1995. Research Divisions are structured by function and site directors have been eliminated. The science divisions in the Pacific region which include the Pacific Biological Station, the Institute of Ocean Sciences (Sidney, B.C.) and the West Vancouver Lab. include;

    Stock Assessment Division

    Dr. M. Henderson

    Marine Environment and Habitat Sci

    Dr. C. Pringle

    Ocean Science and Productivity

    Dr. H. Freeland

    Each of these division heads reports to Dr. John Davis, the Regional Director of Science (RDS). The head of the Pacific Stock Assessment Review Committee (PSARC), Dr. J. Rice also reports to the RDS. Dr. Rice has accepted a job in Ottawa as the National Stock Assessment Co-ordinator, however he will retain his role as head of PSARC.

    Groundfish research will be conducted primarily through the Stock Assessment Division. Within the Stock Assessment Division, two sections divide up groundfish responsibilities;

    Fish Population Dynamics

    Dr. Sandy McFarlane

    Assessment Methods

    Dr. Laura Richards

    The Assessment Methods section includes Fish Ageing Lab. staff.

    The management of marine fish falls under the Fisheries Branch of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Mr. Bruce Turris is the Groundfish co-ordinator responsible for Groundfish management. Managers receive scientific advice from the Stock Assessment Division through the PSARC process.

  2. Multispecies studies

    1. La Perouse Program

      This program was continued in 1996.

      This project is a multi-disciplinary, multi-species investigation conducted by the Pacific Biological Station and the Institute of Ocean Sciences in support of long-term management of the major fish stocks off the west coast of Vancouver Island. Initiated in 1985 following the large 1982/83 El Nino event in the Pacific Ocean, the primary focus of the La Perouse program has been directed toward describing and understanding the causes of annual and interannual variability of the fish and zooplankton stocks over La Perouse Bank on the southwest portion of the shelf. Located within the coastal upwelling production zone that extends from northern Vancouver Island to Baja California, La Perouse Bank is an extremely productive fishing area.

      Considerable progress has now been made toward identification of the dominant physical processes affecting the circulation and water property structure, quantifying the statistical variability of the seasonal and interannual cycles and direct estimation of the impact of interannual fluctuations on the planktonic food web.

  3. By species

    1. Pacific cod

    i. Research programs

    In 1996 the commercial trawl fishery in Hecate Strait was limited to by-catch only for Pacific cod and as a result stock abundance indices would not be comparable to those calculated for previous years. A Pacific cod survey, using commercial fishing vessels, was conducted in Hecate Strait during the summer of 1996 to obtain catch rate data and to obtain data on the effect of cod-end mesh size changes on catch rates and size-selectivity.

    During the 10 six-day charters, 315 tows were completed in 22 strata. Four CPUE indices were calculated from the survey data obtained with the large-mesh cod-ends for comparison to indices calculated for previous years. All indices indicated an increase in the catch rate from 1995 to 1996, with increases ranging from 66% to 180%.

    ii. Stock assessments

    Assessment of the Hecate Strait Pacific cod abundance was conducted using MULTIFAN CL, a catch-at-length model that integrates length frequency and catch-age analysis. Stock abundance and catch levels under a F=0.30 policy were forecast for 1997 and 1998 using stochastic simulations. The stochastic elements were the size of the first recruited year class for 1997 and the first two recruited year classes for 1998. The stock projections for 1997 identified a very low probability that the stock would be below the threshold spawning stock level of 4570 t. The 0.1 and 0.9 probability range of the projections identified a range of potential yields between 1075 t and 2165 t. Selection of the 50th percentile for a 1997 quota is projected to yield a 1998 stock biomass with only a 0.098 probability of being below the threshold spawning stock biomass.

    The stock abundance off the west coast of Vancouver Island for January 1997 was projected using the same analytic methods as in the Hecate Strait assessment. The probability that the stock biomass would be below the threshold level of 2700 t was estimated at 0.816. Any directed commercial fishery in this area was considered to be high risk and no fishery yield options were recommended

    2a. Rockfish - offshore

    i. Research Programs

    Slope Rockfish

    A bottom trawl survey for rockfish was conducted by a chartered commercial fishing vessel off the southwest coast of Vancouver Island during September 1996. Objectives of the survey were to estimate the relative biomass of the Pacific ocean perch and to collect biological samples for several rockfish species. Biomass estimates from this survey were compared to previous surveys conducted between 1965 and 1972. Biological information was collected for Pacific ocean perch, yellowmouth rockfish, redstripe rockfish, splitnose rockfish, redbanded rockfish, sharpchin rockfish, rougheye rockfish, greenstriped rockfish, shortspine thornyhead, and sablefish caught during the survey. Pacific ocean perch relative biomass was estimated to be between 2,095-2,358 tonnes and 1,630-2,885 tonnes using classical and bootstrap methods, respectively, while shortspine thornyhead relative biomass was estimated to be between 105-117 tonnes and 85-137 tonnes, respectively. Pacific ocean perch was by far the most abundant rockfish species by weight, followed by sharpchin rockfish, and splitnose rockfish.

    A monitoring survey of the Langara experimental fishing area was conducted in July 1996. This area was the object of an open-fishing experiment from 1984-1990 and has been closed to commercial fishing since 1991. As part of the experimental design, monitoring surveys were scheduled every three years and 1996 saw the second of these surveys. The survey concentrated on collection of biological samples to characterise rockfish populations, primarily Pacific ocean perch (Sebastes alutus) in the study area. Age composition data suggest relatively strong contributions of the 1980 and 1984 cohorts in recent years, although the strong 1976 cohort appears to have been reduced substantially during the open fishing period. The 1987 cohort is beginning to recruit to the adult population and may be above average in strength. The index of relative biomass increased by 43% for S. alutus and 32% for all rockfishes between the 1993 and 1996 surveys.

    The last of a series of larval surveys for S. alutus in the Queen Charlotte Sound area was also conducted in July 1996. Previous surveys have identified a movement of larvae from deepwater parturition sites to the shallower waters of the major submarine canyons in Queen Charlotte Sound over a period of several months. While analysis of samples is not complete, larval abundance during the 1996 survey appeared much lower than in previous years and no centres of abundance comparable to prior observations were detected.

    A collaborative survey with industry has been proposed for the west coast of the Queen Charlotte Islands in 1997. An analysis of Pacific ocean perch stock structure using DNA is also planned.

    Shelf rockfish

    To address industry concerns about stock estimates for widow rockfish, a joint DFO-Industry cruise will be conducted off the northwest coast of Vancouver Island in the spring of 1998. The general purpose of the study will be locate and examine aggregations of this species using both hydroacoustics and trawl fishing, in an attempt to verify the abundance of fish in such aggregations. Industry believes these aggregations contain a large biomass of fish. Commercial vessels will locate and fish aggregations to verify species composition. A research hydroacoustic vessel will develop credible biomass estimates of these aggregations and conduct supporting work on target strength validation for the species. Simultaneously, other commercial vessels will record encounters with similar aggregations. Industry representatives will also provide advice on board the research vessel.

    ii. Stock assessments

    Slope Rockfish

    A major update of the slope rockfish assessment was completed in 1996. For assessment purposes, slope rockfish include Pacific ocean perch, redstripe rockfish, yellowmouth rockfish, rougheye rockfish, shortraker rockfish and shortspine and longspine thornyheads. The best information is for the Goose Island Gully stock of Pacific ocean perch. A catch-age analysis was completed for this stock using catch-age data available from 1963-95 and a series of trawl surveys, updated with recent surveys in 1994 and 1995. The analysis indicated that the foreign fishery of the late 1960s and early 1970s reduced the stock to about a third of the 1965 exploitable biomass by 1977. Between 1977-84, biomass remained relatively constant. Biomass then increased to over half of the 1965 level by 1995, as a result of above-average recruitment and low fishing morality rates. The stock now appears to be at an average level of abundance. The status and potential yields of other stocks of Pacific ocean perch are less certain because of limited data.

    Yields for redstripe rockfish, yellowmouth rockfish and shortspine thornyheads were derived from percentages of the Pacific ocean perch yield. Percentages were expanded from Goose Island Gully bottom trawl survey information, after considering potential midwater abundance and recent ratios in the catch. Yields for rougheye rockfish were based on the species longevity of up to 147 years of age. Yields for shortraker rockfish were determined from the ratio of shortraker to rougheye rockfish in monitored landings. We have no scientific basis for recommending yields for longspine thornyheads.

    Shelf Rockfish

    Interim update assessments were conducted during 1996 for silvergray, yellowtail, widow and canary rockfish. Recommended 1997 yield ranges for the updated assessments were virtually unchanged from the previous year. The ranges for silvergray rockfish in PMFC Areas 3C+3D (Vancouver Island), 5A+5B (Queen Charlotte Sound), and 5C+5D (Hecate Strait) are 150-425 t, 350-725 t, and 125-425 t respectively. The latter two high-risk values have been increased 25 t. Under assemblage management, silvergray rockfish landings from these three stocks were 20% above the sum of the high risk recommendations. For the first time, we recommend a yield range for silvergray rockfish for PMFC Area 5E, the west coast of the Queen Charlotte Islands. The range of 175-300 t is based on a protocol similar to that used for other shelf rockfish stocks.

    Recommended yield ranges for the canary rockfish stocks of Area 3C+3D and Area 5A+5B are 350-525 t, and 200-400 t, respectively. The high-risk value for the former stock is increased 25 t from the previous year. Landings of canary rockfish for these two stocks were 16% below the sum of the high-risk yields. The recommended coastwide yield range for widow rockfish is unchanged at 1,100-3,000 t. Landings in 1995 were approximately midway between the yield range endpoints.

    The yield recommendation for the coastal yellowtail rockfish fishery (PMFC Areas 3D-5E) remains 2750-5100 t. The 1995 landings of 2,877 were near the low risk yield recommendation. The yield recommendation for the yellowtail rockfish stock of PMFC Area 3C fishery (south Vancouver Island) is combined with the northern Washington fishery (PMFC Areas 3C-US and 3B). The range is unchanged at 1,000-2,000 t for the combined U.S. and Canadian fishery. The sum of the total low risk and high yields is 6,200 - 12,925, 2-3% higher than the total range of 1995, 6,025 - 12,550.

    2b. ROCKFISH - inshore

    i. Research programs

    Current research on inshore rockfish is structured around three projects:

    1. The analysis of hook and line logbook data to describe fleet dynamics, investigate localized depletion, and model catch and effort data for the period 1982 to 1996.

    2. A review paper on alternative management strategies for inshore rockfish.

    3. A pilot on-board observer program to collect high-resolution CPUE data, assess discarding, corroborate logbooks, and collect biological samples from the commercial fishery.

    ii. Stock assessment

    Coast-wide catches of hook and line rockfish reached a high of 2645 t in 1995, in part driven by a notable increase of 500 t in the landings of rougheye rockfish relative to 1994. In general, stock condition is poor in the Strait of Georgia, portions of the west coast of Vancouver Island and Queen Charlotte Islands, and is unknown in other areas. Available data for each DFO statistical area were used to assign each area to one of three assessment options:

    1. Where there exists a long catch history with relatively high effort (approximately 100 days fishing per year), survey data, and biological data, the catch history and estimates of habitat area were used to recommend yield as in past assessments (Yamanaka and Richards 1992);

    2. Where the catch history is long and effort relatively high (approximately 100 days fishing per year), but little or no other data are available, the yield recommendation was based on the 25th percentile of catch history since 1982. For these cases, there is no information with which to evaluate the sustainability of the 25th percentile of the catch series.

    3. Where there is no accumulation of a catch and effort series, and effort has been relatively low, a yield recommendation was not provided. Managers were advised to be precautionary in these areas.

      Yield recommendations, where provided, were more conservative than those supported in past assessments. A range of yield options was not provided. This reflects the uncertainty in the data and highlights the mismatch between data available for stock assessment and the requirements of TAC management of inshore rockfish.

      Analysis of coast-wide data derived from historical sales slips indicate a shift in catch and effort from the Strait of Georgia and lower west coast Vancouver Island northwards in the Strait of Georgia and west coast Vancouver Island in the period from 1983 to 1990. By 1992 and 1993, the catch was largely taken from the upper west coast Vancouver Island, lower central coast, and lower west coast of the Queen Charlotte Islands. Most recently, catch is predominately taken from the Queen Charlotte Islands and northern portion of Vancouver Island.

    iii. Management and Regulations

    The hook and line rockfish fishery in British Columbia is managed by limited entry area licensing; 74 vessels are licensed in the Strait of Georgia while 183 vessels are licensed for areas outside of the Strait of Georgia. A major change in management occurred in 1995 with the introduction of quota management for yelloweye rockfish and six species aggregates. This measure was accompanied by the implementation of monthly fishing periods, fishing period limits, annual landing options, and trip limits. The user-pay logbook program initiated in 1994 continues, as does the user-pay dockside monitoring program started in 1995. The dockside monitoring program replaces the historical sales slip data program starting in 1996. The 1997 management plan for inshore rockfish includes the provision to utilize up to 5 percent of the rockfish quota to fund assessment related charter work on inshore rockfish. The starting date of the fishing season has been adjusted from January 1 to April 1 beginning in 1997 to coincide with the trawl fishing season.

    The recreational fishery was restricted in 1986 to a daily bag limit of eight rockfish, in 1992 the Strait of Georgia bag limit was reduced to five rockfish per day. Rockfish caught in the recreational fishery are monitored by a small creel survey in Barclay Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island and by the Strait of Georgia creel survey. Rockfish are not identified to species for either survey. The 1995 estimate of recreational rockfish catch between March and September over the areas included in the Strait of Georgia creel survey was 92 t; this estimate is comparable to the annual commercial catch of 110 t in the region.

    3. Sablefish

    i. Research programs

    In 1996, a total of 263K of cost-recovered funding was allocated to cover salaries, contracts and purchases for research projects that were approved by the Sablefish Finance Committee and the Biological Sciences Branch of the Department of Fisheries (DFO) and Oceans. The committee consists of industry and DFO representatives whose mandate is to ensure that research is conducted in a cost-effective manner. Secondarily, the industry representatives have provided input regarding the direction of the proposed research.

    Trap survey

    Trap surveys of the south, and north coasts were conducted during Oct/Nov. The goal of the surveys was to monitor the age composition of the population and to tag fish for studies of migration and abundance. Sets were made at discrete depths (100fm intervals between 150 and 650 fm) at pre-selected stations. Each vessel occupied 7-8 stations offshore. Four inlet stations on the central coast were also surveyed. A total of 8307 fish were tagged and approximately 3000 fish were sampled for length, sex, maturity and otoliths collected for ageing. Ageing of the samples is underway and results will be incorporated into the 1997 assessment.

    An additional coastwide tagging survey was conducted during May to provide a seasonal comparison to the time series of fall taggings. A total of 15,151 fish were tagged and released during the fall survey. Identical surveys are planned for 1997.

    ii. Stock assessment

    A major assessment for sablefish was conducted during 1996. Separate analyses were conducted for northern and southern areas of the B.C. coast due to observed differences in age and length compositions, growth and evidence from juvenile tagging that recruitment to the areas are drawn from different origins. The assessment utilised a new age-based catch-at-age model implemented using the AD Model builder software environment (Fournier 1996), to estimate the current stock size and reconstruct the history of the stock. Independent estimates of exploitation rates for 1992 and 1993, based on 1991 tagging releases and recaptures from 1992 and 1993, were developed by R. Hilborn, (University of Washington) and used to tune the catch-at-age analysis. The tagging analysis explicitly takes into account potential movement of fish out of the zone. In addition, alternative exploitation rates that acknowledge the impact of more recent tagging data not yet analyzed, were investigated. These exploratory rates are approximately double those obtained through the tagging analysis.

    Biomass in the south and north was estimated to range between approximately 28-60,000 t in the north and 22-62,000 t in the south. The large range in stock estimates is based on different assumptions concerning the historical exploitation rate. The assessment is less pessimistic about the level of exploitable biomass than the previous assessment. If historical exploitation rate has been as low as the nominal values from the tagging analysis, then stock biomass in the north and south has been increasing steadily throughout the period of analysis. If historical exploitation rates have been at the higher values investigated, then the stock has been approximately stable over the same period. A review of fisheries harvest reference points was conducted and yields under a commonly used reference point (F45%) estimated. However, the assumptions of random recruitment variation inherent in the use of such a reference point contrasts with observed sablefish recruitment, and its use was not recommended for this assessment. Instead, short-term (5 y), deterministic simulations of the impact of fixed coastwide harvest levels (3100 t, 3600 t, 4100 t, and 4600 t) on exploitable biomass are presented. Under assumed low historical exploitation rates, harvests at all simulated levels will keep the northern stock approximately stable or increasing. For the southern stock harvest levels under the same exploitation scenario will keep the stock stable or initiate slightly (<5%) declining trajectories of stock biomass. For higher rates of assumed historical exploitation, harvests above present levels will initiate modest declines (5-10%) for both northern and southern stocks over the 1997-2001 period simulated.

    It is expected that increased tagging effort expended in recent years will provide data that will begin to reduce the uncertainty in the estimates of stock size. In addition, a single catch-at-age model incorporating the tagging data is being undertaken as a research project in 1997.

    4. FLATFISH

    i. Research programs

    A trawl survey was conducted in Hecate Strait in 1996. The survey provides a relative index of abundance for rock and English soles in the region. Between 1989 and 1996, survey mean CPUE decreased 14% for rock sole and 44% for English sole. This reflects a decline in recruitment for both species in recent years. During the 1996 survey, catches of the research vessel W.E. RICKER were compared with a chartered commercial vessel using commercial fishing gear. After adjustments were made for differences in the fishing gear, used there was no significant difference in species catch composition or CPUE between the two vessels. A manuscript report was produced (Fargo In press) summarising the results of the catch comparison. However, the charter vessel had higher catch rates for large fish within species than the research vessel. The catch comparison also confirmed that the six inch mesh regulation in effect in this area since 1995 has resulted in a significant reduction in the capture of juvenile flatfish and Pacific cod. Retention ratios for juvenile flatfish for the charter vessel ranged between 1% and 8% of that for the research vessel depending on the species.

    ii. Stock assessment

    Catch-age analysis provides the basis for flatfish stock assessments in Hecate Strait. Biomass continued to decline for Hecate Strait English and rock soles due to declining recruitment. The yield range recommended for these species was estimated from the 25th and 50th percentiles of the distribution of the 1995 biomass estimate assuming a fishing rate of F0.1 (0.20). Abundance of Dover sole decreased for the northern stock and remained fairly stable for the southern stock. In recent years more landings have come from Queen Charlotte Sound than in previous years. It is not known whether this is a separate stock. Petrale sole stocks remained at a low level of abundance in 1996 and only incidental landings of this species are permitted.

    5. Pacific hake

    i. Research programs

    The monitoring of catch, estimation of species composition, and biological sampling in the Vancouver INPFC Area fishery was continued through an extensive offshore observer and shoreside monitoring programs.

    Trawl and hydroacoustic studies examining the relative abundance and distribution of Pacific Hake in the Vancouver Area, including northern Vancouver Island, were continued. In particular a survey of the Canadian zone was conducted during August and a survey of the Strait of Georgia was conducted during February. Hydroacoustic assessments of hake offshore and in the Strait of Georgia are planned for 1997. Considerable progress has been made related to P. hake target strength (see P. Hake Working Group Report and further target strength studies are planned for August 1997.

    The 10th annual species interaction trawl survey was conducted in August to assess the impact of Pacific hake and other predators on herring survival and recruitment.

    Papers on offshore hake spawning biology, fecundity and the anomalous distribution of the 1994 year-class were prepared and presented at the 1996 CalCOFI symposium on hake. The papers on spawning biology and distribution and the fecundity were prepared for the proceedings and are at present under review.

    ii. Stock assessment

    Strait of Georgia

    The fishery in the Strait of Georgia increased in 1995 to 11,859 t from 9,631 t in 1994, the first time the full 11,000 t quota was taken. The stock is estimated to be in good condition based on results of a hydroacoustic survey conducted during February 1996 that found a total of 130 Kt of exploitable biomass throughout the Strait of Georgia. Age and growth data continue to indicate the presence of three strong-year classes in the Strait and a coincidental decline in the mean size-at-age. Recommended yields ranged from 8,100-24,700 t. The low end is average yield during the 1990’s which as noted above, is a period over which the stock has been stable and the high end based on optimal rates of fishing mortality developed for the offshore population

    Offshore

    Since 1968, more Pacific hake have been landed from the offshore stock than from any other species in the groundfish fishery on Canada's west coast. Coastwide catches of Pacific hake decreased from 359 Kt in 1994 to 248 Kt in 1995, a result of less available yield. The all-nation-catch in the Canadian zone was 70.1 Kt in 1995. The approach taken in the 1996 assessment was similar to that of the previous one, using catch-at-age analysis tuned to independent Canadian and U.S survey estimates to assess the current status of the stock, and using an age-structured forward simulation model to examine long term (equilibrium) production and short term (look ahead) yield options. Changes to the assessment included: 1.) Re-estimation of the 1977-95 survey time series adopting the TS model proposed by Traynor (1996); 2) Development of offshore expansion factors to adjust earlier survey results to account for hake habitat not surveyed seaward of the original survey tracklines; 3) the use of a one-area assessment model, 4) modeling fisheries in the U.S. zone as a single combined fishery with time-varying selectivity; and 5) the addition of the 1995 NMFS acoustic survey results and catch-at-age data for the U.S. and Canadian fisheries in 1995. Overall abundance as indicated by stock synthesis runs, is declining as the strong 1980 and 1984 year-classes move through the fishery and recruitment in subsequent years has been low. Yield options for two assumptions regarding the strength of the 1994 year-class, and three risk levels are presented, with available coastwide yields for 1997 ranging from 161 Kt to 445 Kt.

    6. Dogfish

    i. Research programs

    Processing and analysis of dogfish tag recoveries was continued. The purpose of this experiment is to assess long-term movements, in particular the rate of exchange between the Strait of Georgia and offshore stocks.

    ii. Stock assessment

    A major assessment of dogfish has not been conducted for more than five years although catches have been monitored. Landings, in particular hook and line, have increased in recent years although current harvests levels are below the optimal yield in both areas.

    7. LINGCOD

    i. Research programs

    None.

    ii. Stock assessment

    Offshore Lingcod

    Offshore lingcod stocks were assessed for the northwest and southwest coasts of Vancouver Island, Queen Charlotte Sound, Hecate Strait and the west coast of the Queen Charlotte Islands. Interpretation of stock condition relied on recent trends in catch statistics. Off the southwest coast of Vancouver Island (Area 3C) CPUE has declined in recent years from the historic high in 1993 and is well below the long term average. Age composition data indicate that the 1985 year class was strong and supported the fishery in to the early 1990s. The 1989 year class appeared above average but has not persisted in the fishery through the mid-1990s. There are no indications that year classes since 1990 have been relatively strong. These data will be used in a catch-age analysis in 1997. CPUE off northwest Vancouver Island (Area 3D) suggests stock abundance is declining although competition for the TAC among different gear sectors hampers interpretation. Recent declines in CPUE for Queen Charlotte Sound (Areas 5A-5B) may also indicate stocks are below the long-term average abundance level. Recommended low to high-risk yield levels range from 1400-2800 t, 400-800 t, and 1100-2200 t for Areas 3C, 3D, and 5A-B, respectively. Managers were advised to use caution in assigning yields in Areas 3C/D and to adopt a low-risk strategy in Area 5A/B. The fishery in Hecate Strait (Area 5C-D) has recently undergone a dramatic increase in effort, but there is little biological information available to guide yield recommendations. A recommended yield level of 1000 t was provided out of concern for the sensitivity of the species to exploitation and the rapid expansion of the fishery.

    8. Walleye pollock

    i. Research programs

    Monitoring of catches and collection of biological samples were conducted during 1995 for pollock stocks in northern Hecate Strait/Dixon Entrance, Queen Charlotte Strait, the southwest coast Vancouver Island and the Strait of Georgia.

    ii. Stock assessment

    The coastwide catch of walleye pollock changed little from 4734 t in 1994 to 4154 t in 1995 due to quotas implemented in 1995 to cap the development of fisheries in area 12 and Hecate Strait. The 1995 incidental catch in the joint-venture hake fishery decreased to 10 t from 130 t in 1994. The range of sustainable yield options based on Gullands (1983) MSY model is 470 to 1760 t for the Strait of Georgia (excluding area 12) and 330 to 1320 t for Dixon Entrance/Hecate Strait. A precautionary quota of 1000-2580 t is recommended to cap the yield in Queen Charlotte Strait (Minor area 12) until a detailed assessment can be conducted. Yield options are not proposed for stocks off the west coast of Vancouver Island. Given the size of Dixon Entrance/Hecate Strait and Minor area 12 fisheries, detailed surveys and assessments of these stocks are warranted.

    10. Other

    Pelagics - Sardine and Mackerel

    Sardine and mackerels remain at low levels of abundance in the Canadian zone. Increased abundance is correlated with periods of warm oceanographic conditions presumably due to enhanced transport during these periods. Mackerel were abundant in the Canadian zone during the recent 1992/93 El Nino and it appears that Mackerel that moved in during that period remained resident. In 1996 mackerel were verified in the Canadian zone as far north as the BC central coast.

    Sardine in the Canadian zone are believed to be part of the population ranging from southern California to B.C. which is believed to be increasing in abundance. A small experimental seine fishery for sardine is planned for 1997, limited to 500 t. Under conditions of the experimental permit, industry will provide observers to collect catch and biological data. A BC Pilchard and Mackerel Watch program has been advertised to alert DFO to the presence of these species in our zone. There is also cooperation between DFO and CDFG with respect to sharing biological data and conducting ageing.

    Incidental catch of these species is also monitored by at-sea and shoreside observers of the offshore hake fishery.

D. Other related studies

  1. Statistics and Sampling

    The principal activities in 1996 included participation in the development and testing of a regional, ORACLE-based, groundfish catch and effort database, and biological sampling of commercial landings. A total of 222 samples were collected from commercial landings. An additional 201 samples were collected aboard commercial vessels. The collection of these at-sea samples was a project jointly funded by the Canadian Groundfish Research and Conservation Society and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Work also continued on the ORACLE-based relational database system for groundfish biological data, GFBIO, and backfilling of historical data is ongoing.


APPENDIX 1. REVIEW OF CANADIAN GROUNDFISH FISHERIES

  1. Commercial fisheries

    Canadian domestic trawl landings of groundfish (excluding halibut) in 1996 were 70,962 t, a decrease of 24% below the 1995 catch. This decrease was mainly due to the decrease in domestic hake landings. The major species in the trawl landings were Pacific hake (47%), Pacific ocean perch (9%), yellowtail rockfish (8%), turbot (6%) and Dover sole (4%). Principal areas of trawl production were 3C (40%) and 4B (16%).

    Canadian landings of groundfish caught by gear other than trawl in 1996 totalled 6,324 t. Trap gear accounted for 2,598 t (99% sablefish). Longline, handline and troll gear accounted for 3,613 t (64% dogfish, 15% lingcod and 9% rockfish). Catches incidental to other gear types, including shrimp trawl, seines and gillnets, totalled 113 t (96% unidentified fish).

  2. Recreational fisheries

    Each year, Fisheries Branch (Fisheries and Oceans Canada) conducts creel surveys of the recreational angling fishery in the Strait of Georgia. Principal target species are chinook and coho salmon. In 1996 these surveys covered only the months of April to September. Provisional estimates of 1996 catches for this 6-month period were 3,715 fish for lingcod, 96,183 fish for all rockfish species and 1,613 fish for dogfish. There was also an estimate of 37,941 fish for other fin fish which includes greenlings and sculpins, as well as other species such as herring.

  3. Joint-venture fisheries

    In 1996, seventy-seven Canadian catcher vessels delivered Pacific hake and incidental species to ten processing vessels in co-operative fishing arrangements. These fisheries take place off the southwest coast of Vancouver Island (Area 3C). A total of 65,596 t of Pacific hake was processed by 10 Polish vessels. The quotas and catches are outlined below:

    Nation

    Species

    Quota (t)

    Catch (t)

    Poland

    Hake

    67,000

    65,596

     

    Pollock

    incidental

    2,194

     

    Rockfish

    incidental

    1,015

  4. Foreign fisheries

    There were no national or supplemental fisheries for Pacific hake off southwest Vancouver Island (Area 3C) in 1996.


APPENDIX 2. GROUNDFISH RELATED REPORTS PUBLISHED BY THE STOCK ASSESSMENT DIVISION DURING THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 1996 TO DECEMBER 31, 1996 ARE LISTED BELOW:

 

PRIMARY

Fargo, J., and L.J. Richards. 1996. A modern approach to catch-age analysis for Hecate Strait rock sole, Pleuronectes bilineatus. Neth. J. Sea Res.

Kieser, R., P. Aubry, and L.J. Richards. 1996. Rockfish school isolation and classification from acoustic survey data. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci.

Rice, J., and H. Gislason. 1996. Patterns of change in the size spectra of numbers and diversity of the North Sea fish assemblage, as reflected in surveys and models. ICES J. of Mar. Sci.: 53(6): 1214-1225.

Rice, J.C., and L.J. Richards. 1996. A framework for reducing implementation uncertainty in fisheries management. N. Am. J. Fish. Manage. 16: 488-494.

Richards, L.J., and J.T. Schnute. 1996. A strategy for advancing stock assessment, p. . In [ed.]. Chapter in Reinventing Fisheries Management

Schnute, J.T., and A.R. Kronlund. 1996. A management-oriented approach to stock recruitment analysis. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 53: 1281-1293.

Thomson, R.E., and D.M. Ware. 1996. A current velocity index of ocean variability. J. Geophys. Res. Oceans 101: 14297-14310.

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Cooke, K., M.W. Saunders, W.T. Andrews, and R. Kieser. 1996. A hydroacoustic survey of Pacific hake on the continental shelf off British Columbia from the Canada/U.S. boundary to Queen Charlotte Sound: August 15-31, 1994. Can. Manuscr. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2363: 51 p.

Cornthwaite, A.M. 1996. Cruise details and biological information from the Pacific Ocean perch larval surveys aboard the R/V W.E. Ricker, April 16 - 30, 1992 and June 9 - 18, 1993. Can. Data Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci.:

Cornthwaite, A.M., W. Carolsfeld, G.E. Gillespie, B.M. Leaman, and R.D. Stanley. 1996. Cruise details and biological information from the Pacific ocean perch larval surveys aboard the R/V W.E. Ricker, April 16-30, 1992 and June 9-18, 1993. Can. Data Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 984: 97 p.

Fargo, J. and A.R. Kronlund. In press. Flatfish stock assessments for the wet coast of Canada for 1996 and recommended yield options for 1997. Can. Man. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. XXX

Haist, V. and D. Fournier. 1996a. Pacific cod stock assessment for 1996 and recommended yield options for 1997. PSARC working paper G96-3a: 23p.

Haist, V. and D. Fournier. 1996b. Hecate Strait Pacific cod stock assessment incorporating 1996 fishing survey data and recommended yield options for 1997 and 1998. PSARC working paper G96-3b: 24p.

Kieser, R., K. Cooke, and W.T. Andrews. 1996. A hydroacoustic survey on the continental shelf off British Columbia to evaluate new fisheries acoustic instrumentation and to obtain Pacific hake stock assessment information, May 28 - June 4, 1994. Can. Manuscr. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2378: 35 p.

Leaman, B.M., A.M. Cornthwaite, and R.D. Stanley. 1996. Cruise details and biological information from the Pacific ocean perch monitoring survey, R/V W.E. RICKER, June 19-30, 1993. Can. Manuscr. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2388: 71 p.

Lessard, J., C.D. Levings, M.S. North, and D.J.H. Nishimura. 1996. Annotated bibliography of nearshore fish habitat maps for the Strait of Georgia. Can. Manuscr. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2350: 31 p.

McFarlane, G. A. and B. M. Leaman. 1996. Offshore lingcod stock assessment and yield recommendations for 1997. PSARC Working Paper G96-2: 23p.

Murie, D.J., M.W. Saunders, and G.A. McFarlane. 1996. Canadian trap-fishery for sablefish on seamounts in the northeastern Pacific Ocean, 1983-1993. Can. Manuscr. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2348: 107 p.

Perry, R.I. 1996. Introduction, p. 1-3. In A.W. Kendall and S. Kim [ed]. Fisheries oceanography of walleye pollock in Shelikof Strait, Alaska. Fish. Oceanogr. 5 (Suppl. 1).

Rice, J., B. Leaman, R.J. Beamish, G.A. McFarlane, and G. Thomas (Eds.). 1996. Pacific Stock Assessment Review Committee (PSARC) Annual Report for 1995. Can. Manuscr. Rep Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2383: 242 p.

Richards, L.J., and N. Olsen. 1996. Slope rockfish stock assessment for the west coast of Canada in 1996 and recommended yields for 1997. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2134: 91 p.

Rutherford, K.L. 1996. Catch and effort statistics of the Canadian groundfish fishery on the Pacific Coast in 1993. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2097: 97 p.

Saunders, M. W., B. M. Leaman, V. Haist, R. Hilborn, and G. A. McFarlane. 1996. Sablefish stock assessment for 1996 and recommended yield options for 1997. PSARC Working Paper G96-5a: 53p.; PSARC Working Paper G96-5b: 93p

Smith, M.S., M.W. Saunders, and W.T. Andrews. 1996. Cruise details of sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) surveys conducted in B.C. waters 1988-1993. Can. Data Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 976: 129 p.

Tanasichuk, R.W. 1996. The influence of inter-annual variations in sea temperature on the population biology and productivity of euphausiids in Barkley Sound, Canada. UBC Fisheries Centre Research Report

Tanasichuk, R.W. 1996. The importance of euphausiids to a British Columbian coastal marine ecosystem. UBC Fisheries Centre Research Report : .

Trumble , R. J. and B. M. Leaman. 1996. Status of bycatch management planning. pp. 149-154 In Int. Pac. Halibut Comm., Report of Assessment and Research Activities, 1995. 286 p.

Westrheim, S.J. 1996. On the Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephatus) in British Columbia waters, and a comparison with Pacific cod elsewhere, and Atlantic cod (G. morhua). Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci.

Workman, G.D., J. Fargo, B. Beall, K.L. Yamanaka, and V. Haist. 1996. R/V W.E. RICKER assemblage survey of Hecate Strait, May 23-June 9, 1995. Can. Data Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 974: 94 p.

Yamanaka, K.L. 1996. Bottom trawl survey for rockfish in Queen Charlotte Sound, September 11, to 22, 1995. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci.

Yamanaka, K.L., L.J. Richards, and G.D. Workman. 1996. Bottom trawl survey for rockfish in Queen Charlotte Sound, September 11 to 22, 1995. Can. Manuscr. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2362: 116 p.

Yamanaka, K.L. and A.R. Kronlund. 1996. Inshore rockfish stock assessment for 1996 and recommended yield options for 1997. Can. Man. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. XXXX. In press.

Yamanaka, K.L. and L.J. Richards. 1992. Inshore rockfish, pp. 221-266. In Leaman, B.M. (ed.) Groundfish stock assessments for the west coast of Canada in 1991 and recommended yield options for 1992. Can. Tech. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 1866: 304p.


APPENDIX 3. STOCK ASSESSMENT DIVISION GROUNDFISH STAFF IN 1996

W. Andrews

Sablefish and hake technician

K. Charles

Fish Ageing technician

K. Cooke

Population hydroacoustics estimation

G. Kronkite

Acoustic development methods

R. Kronlund

Analytical programs

J. Fargo

Stock assessment and biology

C. Fort

Herring assessment

D. Gillespie

Fish Ageing technician

V. Haist

Marine fish/Pacific cod stock assessment

L. Hamer

Herring data base management

S. Hardy

Statistics/sampling

S. Janz

Fish Ageing technician

G. Jewsbury

Sablefish and hake technician

T. Johansson

Statistics/sampling

R. Kieser

Population hydroacoustics estimation

B. Leaman

Stock assessment and recruitment biology

D. Little

Fish Ageing technician

G. A. McFarlane

Marine Fish stock assessment, population dynamics and biology, fish/ocean interaction

S.E. MacLellan

Fish Ageing Supervisor

W. Mitton

Sablefish, hake, dogfish and pollock

T. Mulligan

Acoustic development methods

N. Olsen

Analytical programs

I. Perry

Fisheries oceanography/Shellfish

J. Rankin

Fish Ageing technician

J. C. Rice

Head, PSARC

L. Richards

Multispecies stock assessment, mathematical analysis

K. Rutherford

Statistics/sampling

M. Sa unders

Groundfish stock assessment and biology

J. Schweigert

Herring stock assessment and stock identification

M. Smith

Sablefish, hake, dogfish and pollock tech.

R. Stanley

Shelf rockfish stock assessment biology, sampling studies

R. Tanasichuk

Hake/herring/euphausiid interactions

N. Venables

Statistics/sampling

D. Ware

Fisheries oceanography

G. Workman

Technical support

L. Yamanaka

Rockfish stock assessment and biology


APPENDIX 4. Summary of cost/recovery or user/pay programs in support of groundfish research, Science Branch of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Sablefish

A cost/recovery program was initiated in 1994 for sablefish research and management. A landing tax is levied on the fishery and a portion of the revenue is allocated directly to research projects. Projects currently funded are stock assessment, spring and fall tagging surveys, otolith ageing, data processing of logbooks, biological, survey and tagging data and shorebased sampling. A proportion of Department staff salaries, as well as, additional contract staff and overhead expenses are paid for by this cost/recovery program. In 1997 a total of 224 K will be cost recovered for sablefish research. During 1997 the partnership/contract with industry will be renegotiated for 1998.

Hook and line rockfish

A user/pay logbook program was initiated in 1993 and a cost/recovery biological sampling program was initiated in 1995. In the logbook program, a contractor produces the logbook (Department designs) and sells this to Fishers with an additional keypunching fee. Fishers purchase logbooks and upon completion return the log records to the contractor. The contractor then keypunches the filled in log records and submits the data to the Department. A program for obtaining biological samples allows fishers (at the Department’s request) to retain 50 pieces of rockfish over and above their trip limit . Upon landing these fish they are turned over to the Department to sample and after biosampling the fish, the fish are returned to the fisher for sale.

Trawl fishery

In 1994 and 1995 a relinquishment fund was established to deal with sales of fish exceeding trip limit. A non-profit society was established in 1995 to manage the fund which now exceeds one million dollars. The society will support programs related to groundfish research. In 1996 several projects have been approved including:

  1. A 3 week charter to survey Pacific ocean perch and a 6 day charter to a conduct flatfish/Pacific cod trawls along side the Department research vessel.
  2. DFO port sampling staff and several students were funded to conduct at-sea sampling. A total of 8 trips between May and August were conducted.