Distribution and Abundance of Pre-recruit and Commercial-sized American Plaice on the Grand Bank S. J. Walsh
Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Fisheries Research Branch
Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, P. O. Box 5667
St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada A 1 C 5X1
Source - Journal of Northwest Atlantic Fishery Science, Volume 3(2): 149-157
ISSN-0250-7408
Length compositions of American plaice, Hippoglossoides platessoides (Fabr.), catches on the Grand Bank from spring stratified-random groundfish surveys during 1971-80 were analyzed to assess the distribution and relative abundance of pre-recruits and commercial-sized fish. Highest concentrations of both groups occurred on the north and northeast slopes of the bank, which are strongly influenced by the cold Labrador Current. Both pre-recruit and commercial-sized American plaice were found in the same general areas at very similar depths and near-bottom temperatures, indicating that the nursery grounds for juveniles are not isolated from commercial fishing grounds.
Language - English
Publisher - Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO), Dartmouth, N.S., Canada
Publication Date - December 1982
Publication Type - Journal Article
Descriptors - abundance, American plaice, distribution, Grand Bank