UNIT 2 

 NORTHEAST PELAGIC FISHERIES 



Stocks. There are indications that growth and ma- 

 turity rates of mackerel declined as stock size in- 

 creased durine; the 1980's. 



Landings 

 (x 1.000 t) 



Atlantic Herring 



The Atlantic herring stock complex in the 

 Northeast Region is considered to be underutilized 

 (Northeast Fisheries Science Center, 1996c,d). 

 Total landings of herring were 1 18,900 t in 1997 

 (U.S. landings were 98,200 t), down slightly from 

 1996 and about 29% higher than in 1995. Re- 

 cent average landings totaled 1 10,500 t (Table 2- 

 1). The coastal stock complex consists ot three 

 major stock groups in U.S. waters: Gulf of Maine, 

 Georges Bank, and Nantucket Shoals. Canadian 

 catches off New Brunswick have also been included 

 in the combined stock analysis since these fish mix 

 with those from the other stocks during portions 

 of the year. The Georges Bank herring stock had 

 collapsed by 1976 after intensive exploitation by 

 distant-water fleets during the 1960's and early 

 1970's. Although the stock complex is capable ot 

 supporting much higher levels ot landings than 

 presently taken, there is concern that the Cult ot 

 Maine stock, from which the majority ot the land- 

 ings have recently been taken, may be fully ex- 

 ploited. 



Bluefish 



Bluefish landings peaked in 1981 at SI, 400 t, 

 but have declined to a recent annual average ot 

 only 11,200 t (Table 2-1). About two-thirds of 

 the recent bluefish landings have been taken by 

 recreational fishermen. The recent downward 

 trend in recreational and commercial landings cor- 

 responds to a decline in stock biomass. Currently, 

 the bluefish stock is overutilized and at a low level 



Total landings 



Herring ^. 



1960 



of abundance (Northeast Fisheries Science Cen- 

 ter, 1997a,b). 



Butterfish 



"I he butterfish stock is considered to be 

 underutilized based on current research survey 

 results and historic landing patterns. Butterfish 

 landings have declined significantly in recent years 

 to less than 3,000 t/year, primarily due to reduced 

 export demand. The stock is currently being fished 

 well below its long-term potential yield (Table 2- 

 1 ) and is considered to be above average in .ibun- 

 dance based on research survey indices. 



ISSUES 



Scientific Advice and 

 Adequacy of Stock Assessments 



Although historical catch data (except perhaps 

 for bluefish) are generally adequate tor assessment 

 piuposes, stock assessments tor the Northeast pe- 

 lagic resources are relatively imprecise, owing to 

 the highly variable trawl survey indices ot abun- 

 dance used for calibrating cohort analysis models, 

 the short lite-span ot some stocks (butterfish), and 

 current low exploitation rates ot some species 

 (mackerel and herring). The development of more 

 precise assessments will require the use of 



Figure 2-1 



Landings in metric tons (t) 

 and abundance index of 

 principal pelagic stocks, 

 1960-97. 



1 1 



