Page 14

OEE

Oo
Large Yellowtail Flounder ‘mail Yelowtail Flounder eile
July 1982-1987 Landings 7) > 100 July 1982-1987 Landings & > 100
Figure 37 Figure 38
ay Oo
fA
H on if
Aa
ey,
Ry a LT
— ae 6)

Large Yellowtail Flounder:
August 1982-1987 Landings.

Tone/Yeor
BS a- 5
B S1- 25
@ 25.1 - 100
a > 100

2

Tona/Yeor

sooo
R
3
8

Figure 39

Figure 40



Page 8

oe

ae

Cort

p
-
C/

IF
La
Oo
Tons/Yeor
oO Q ale 5
Large Pollock 3 ‘Small Pollock Oe r 38
July 1982-1987 Landings a> 100 July 1982~1987 Landings > 100
Figure 13 Figure 14

HE
ae

of

et

Tons/Yeor Tons/Yeor
og o1- $ ats
B si- 3 —
Large Pollock 28.1 - 100 Small Pollock 25.1 ~ 100
August 1982-1987 Landings a > 100 August 1982-1987 Landings a > 100

Figure 15 Figure 16


Page 18

oS | (Re C=
Py AT an 5 [Sates ~
— at EE | oe f “A Rep
cm ee
a re —_ Ho
Ha a Po,

Tone/Yeor - Tons/Yeor
B sl. 2 8 si. 2

Windowpane Flounder @ 25.1 - 100 Windowpane Flounder @ 25.1 - 100
August 1982-1987 Landings a > 199 September 1982-1987 Landings 8 > 109

Figure 53 Figure 54


Page v

1» 1°" EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

An evaluation/of the likely impact of ‘a small-mesh whiting (silver hake) fishery/on regulated species from the
Georges Bank area,,based on an analysis of historical catch statistics was:performed: Recent commercial landings of
regulated species from the Experimental Whiting Fishery area have been relatively low. Bottom trawl survey data indicate
that the northwestern portion of the bank, where the 1988 Experimental Whiting Fishery took place, may be an important
summer nursery area for Atlantic cod, haddock, and American plaice (dab).

ae


Page 15

Tens/Yeor Tons/Yeor

B sl. 2 a si- 2

Large Yellowtail Flounder B 281-100 ‘Smal Yelowtoil Flounder 2-100

September 1982-1987 Landings @ > 100 September 1982-1987 Landings 8 > 100
Figure 41 "Figure 42

- < pS a x oon
: A ‘ ooo
of ALT eng f
X Pa, ta T
Vent
a q B
Si ao
—~_! a
rio
o Tone/Yeor o Tons/Yeor
Large American Picice 211 Small American Price 12 abo
July 1982-1987 Landings a 5 100 July 1982-1987 Landings a> 100

Figure 43 , Figure 44


Page 21

Legal Atlantic Cod
‘Summer Survey Distribution

sooo

Nunbers/Year
i= 5
S.1- 10

> 10

Sub-legal Atlantic Cod
Summer Survey Distribution

a
a
a
a

Numbers/Yeor
als od

1i- $
5.1 - 10
> 10

Figure 55 Figure 56
Ly
A
Pt Ee
Lo
it wor
Numbers/Yeor Numbers/Yeor
Bones a iiss
Haddock BS - ‘Sub-legal Haddock a si-
Sane ‘Survey Distribution re) Summer Survey Distribution oa
Figure 57 Figure 58

EF
"Preceding Page Blank



Page 17

ee
LS

0
Tons/Yeor Tons/Yeor
B si. 2 a si- 2
Large Redfish @ 25.1 - 100 Large Redfish @ 25.1 - 100
ity 1982-1987 Landings > 100 ‘August 1982-1987 Landings > 100

Figure 49 Figure 50

Tons/Yeor

B sl. 2

l= 25

Redfish 28.1 - 100
r 1982-1987 Landings B > 100

Windor
duly 1982~

Flounder
Landings

ia)
2)

Tons/Yeor
ae S$

5.1- 25
25.1 - 100
> 100

Figure 51

Figure 52


Page 12

Large Winter Flounder

September 1982-1987 Landings

Tons/Yeor
we S$

S.1- 25
25.1 - 100
> 100

ao0o0o

To
i

Tons/Yeor
eS

‘Small Winter Flounder

25.1 ~ 100
Septernber 1982-1987 Landings

o
D 5.1 - 25
a
a > 100

L
Figure 29 Figure 30
do : e > Ld : p
iey)a!
aH ial To Coo L
TaN NA T
cI aa
aa at Y ho A id
a L\G J
A th A
1H p
fo I
EI —H
a
Tons/Yeor Tons/Yeor
Q al- S Oo ar oS
Witch Flounder eli Small Witch Flounder ets 1a
duty 1982-1987 Landings a3 io duy 1982-1987 Landings a> i100

Figure 31

Figure 32





Nunbers/Year
13) 1
a i-s
Legal Witch Flounder 5.1 - 10
‘Summer Survey Distribution a > 10

Le

ca

matty

Nunbers/Year
Boi.

‘Sub~legal Witch Flounder @ $1 - 10

Summer Survey Distribution 310

Figure 67

Figure 68

Nunbere/Year
o 4-1
Bo owi- 5
Legal Yellowtail Flounder S.1- 10
Summer Survey Distribution a > 19

Dy i:
—~|

og nbere/ aor
Sub-legal Yellowtail Flounder B13
Summer Survey Distribution Cy > 10

Figure 69

Figure 70



INTRODUCTION

Between July 1 and November 4, 1988, an experimen-
tal fishery for whiting (silver hake, Merluccius bilinearis
Mitchill) was conducted on Georges Bank by vessels from
four New England ports (see Almeida et al. 1989). The
primary objective of the 1988 Experimental Whiting Fish-
ery (hereafter called the Experimental Fishery) was to
determine the feasibility of conducting a small-mesh fish-
ery for whiting in the offshore waters of Georges Bank
(where large-mesh (greater than 5-1/2 inches) trawl gear is
currently required of all vessels) by determining its impact
on species regulated by the Northeast Multispecies Fishery
Management Plan (hereafter called regulated species).

METHODS

We evaluated the likely impact of the small-mesh
fishery on regulated species in terms of the quantity and size
composition of the regulated species by-catch, based on an
analysis of historical catch statistics during July-September
from the Georges Bank area. Commercial landings data for
each regulated species for 1982-87 were used to represent
current conditions in the Georges Bank fishery. Northeast
Fisheries Center (NEFC) research vessel bottom traw] data
from summer surveys, 1977-81, indicated a period of
higher overall abundance of regulated species on the bank.
Survey data were used for the earlier period since compre-
hensive detailed landings data do not exist for many species
prior to 1982.

Landings data were collected from the commercial
fishery through the standard NEFC weighout system.
Landings from all vessel classes and mesh sizes combined,
originally reported by quarter-degree square (30' latitude
by 30° longitude square), were allocated to 10-minute
squares (10' latitude by 10' longitude) based on detailed
catch information obtained from vessel captains inter-
viewed by NEFC port agents at dockside (after Wigley
1987).

To examine the effects of the Experimental Fishery on
separate size categories of regulated species, we’subdi-
vided monthly landings into “large” and “smal” using
market categories (i.e., landings“from the smaller catego-
ries such as snapper and scrod were considered “small” and
the larger categories Considered “large”) (Table 1). The
data were then summarized and plotted with monthly
Experimental Fishery “windows” ovérlaid.

Catches from summer bottom trawl surveys conducted
during 1977-81 were subdivided into “legal/adult” and
“sub-legal/juvenile” categories based on length-frequency
data. For regulated species with specified minimum legal
sizes, those values were used as cutoff Jengths between
categories (e.g., Atlantic cod and haddock “sub-legals”
were defined as individuals less than 19 inches in total
length, “legals” as individuals greater than or equal to 19
inches). Otherwise, catches of species without minimum

Page 1

legal sizes (e.g., white hake, redfish, and windowpane
flounder) were subdivided into “juveniles” and “adults”
using approximate biological cutoff lengths between the
categories. These data were also summarized by 10-minute
square (all surveys combined) and plotted with windows
overlying the area in which the Experimental Fishery was
conducted.

RESULTS

Figures 1-54 show the monthly distribution of com-
mercial landings prorated between “large” and “small”
categories of each regulated species; Figures 55-74 show
the summer survey distribution of the “legal/adult” and
“sub-legal/juvenile” categories of each species.

Within the confined area in which the 1988 Experi-
mental Whiting Fishery was conducted, the effects of this
small-mesh fishery on regulated species appeared rela-
tively insignificant. The distributional plots demonstrate
that the area is not a region from which large commercial
fishery landings (i.e., averaging greater than about 100 tons
per year) of any of the regulated species have been taken in
the last five years (1982-87). This was supported by
telatively low catches and landings of regulated species by
the Experimental Fishery in 1988 (68,000 Ib or 1.1 percent
of the total, and 37,000 Ib or 0.6 percent of the total, respec-
tively) (Almeida eg al. 1989).

Research vessel survey data, used to indicate the
distribution of regulated species during a period of gener-
ally higher abundance (Conservation & Utilization Divi-
sion, Northeast Fisheries Center 1988), showed similar
results. Most species were not abundant in the area in which
the Experimental Fishery was prosecuted. Important ex-
ceptions were “legal” and “sub-legal” Atlantic cod (Figures
55 and 56), “sub-legal” haddock (Figure 58), and “legal”
and “sub-legal” American plaice (Figures 69 and 70). It is
apparent that during the summer months, the northwestern
portion of Georges Bank is an important nursery area for
these species.

REFERENCES CITED

Almeida, F.P., T.S. Burns, and S. Chang. 1989. The 1988
experimental whiting fishery: a NMFS/industry coop-
erative program. NOAA Tech. Mem. NMFS-F/NEFC-
69. 16p.

Conservation & Utilization Division, Northeast Fisheries
Center. 1988. Status of the fishery resources off the
northeastern United States for 1988. NOAA Tech.
Mem. NMFS-F/NEFC-63. 135 p.

Wigley, S.E. 1987. Data preparation and report summary
guide for prorating commercial interviewed landings
in 82-format. Unpublished report available from Na-
tional Marine Fisheries Service, Woods Hole Labora-
tory, Woods Hole, MA 02543.




Page 13

too eS
TLE OL
om "
g GNG jimall
ae Tr ~fPe,
| Seo ec op +u
PLE
PRR ete °
ZA —_|
he
a a 4
Tons/Yeor Tons/Yeor
a abe oS Oo we SS
Large Witch Flounder B21 - 100 Smal Witch Flounder 21a
August 1982~1987 Landings 8 > 100 August 1982-1987 Landings a > 100
Figure 33 Figure 34

ifs (Se re
Cc B
a Bo H
q OD ~ ry
"FS a YALA
q tH Tero A oY a l + >
i 7 is Ey FR
LA o rs eT ET)
—— HH 9 — EP eh
a
al
Tons/Yeor Tons/Yeor
o ae s ia) one 5
Lorge Witch Flounder 281-160 Small Witch Flounder Bot sae
September 1982-1987 Landings > 199 Septerrber 1982-1987 Londings > 100

Figure 35 Figure 36


FIGURES 1 - 54

Monthly (July-September) distribution of commercial landings (1982-87)
of “large” and “small” categories of each regulated species. (Each square
Tepresents 10' latitude by 10' longitude. The bold lines describe the region
where the Experimental Fishery occurred.)

Page 3


FIGURES 55-74

Summer distribution of NEFC bottom trawl survey catches (1977-81 mean)
of "legal/adult" and "sub-legal/juvenile" categories of each regulated species.
(Each square represents 10' latitude by 10' longitude. The bold lines describe
the region where the Experimental Fishery occurred.)

Page 19


~ PB90206525 —-
iti

NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-F/NEC-70

}3 This TM series is used for documentation and timely communication of preliminary results,
interim reports, or special purpose information, and has not received complete formal review,
editorial control, or detailed editing.

Summer Distribution of Regulated Species
on Georges Bank with Reference
to the 1988 Experimental Whiting Fishery

Frank P. Almeida, Sukwoo Chang, and Thurston S. Burns
Woods Hole Lab., National Marine Fisheries Serv., Woods Hole, MA 02543

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Robert A. Mosbacher, Secretary
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
John A. Knauss, Administrator
National Marine Fisheries Service
James W. Brennan, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries

Northeast Fisheries Center ;

Woods Hole, Massachusetts

September 1989

( Repropucepey. NOS.

U.S, Department of Commerce ———"
National Technical Information Service
‘Springfield, Virginia 22184

Ko


Page 6

Large Atlantic Cod
September 1982-1987 Landings

Tons/Yecr
we S$
S.1- 25
25.1 - 100

ia)
a
a
a > 100

Small Atlantic Cod
September 1982-1987 Landings

Tons/Yeor
aes

S.1- 25
25.1 - 100
> 100

Figure 5

Figure 6

Haddock
‘tay 82-1987 Landings

‘Small Haddock
July 1982-1987 Landings

sooo

> 100

Figure 7

Figure 8



Page 5

Tons/Yeor Tons/Year

a wl- oS o a- 5S

Large Atlantic Cod ole ‘Small Atlantic Cod Bt! is

July 1982-1987 Landings aS ico ‘ly 1982-1987 Landings BS 100
Figure 1 Figure 2

—_|} tHeg a
Pr o- o
Tons/Yeor Tons/Yeor
B sl. 2 a si 2
Large Atlantic Cod 21 Small Atfantic Cod B 281-109
‘August 1982-1987 Landings a > 100 August 1982-1987 Landings a > 103
Figure 3 Figure 4

| Preceain Page Blank |
—_—/





Page 25

=

ay

— Ly
i
Numbers/Yeor Numbers/Yeor

oe Qe
Legal American Paice a Silla Sub~legal American Phoice B Sow

Qa 5.1- BS -
‘Summer Survey Distribution a > 10 Summer Survey Distribution a > 10

Figure 71 Figure 72

oD Numbers/Yeor ob Nubere/Year
aerod abe
P) 1i- S$ a lLi- S$
Aduit Windowpane Flounder 8 ube Juvenile Windowpane Flounder he
Suremer Survey Disrbution = Bs 1 Summer Survey Distribution aoe
Figure 73 Figure 74

YU. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1990--700-031--00008


Page 2

Table 1. Market categories and minimum legal lengths (total length) used to define age categories in distribution plots

Commercial Landings
Minimum Legal Size
Species Large Small for Survey Data
Atlantic cod Whale Scrod 49 cm (19 in)!
Large Snapper
Market
Steaker (dressed)
Unclassified
Haddock Large Scrod 49 cm (19 in)!
Unclassified Snapper
Pollock Large (round/drawn) Small (round) 49 cm (19 in)!
Steaker
Unclassified (round/drawn)
White hake Large (round/dressed) Small (round/dressed) 38 cm (15 in)
Medium (round/dressed)
Unclassified
Redfish Large Small 20 om (8 in)
Unclassified
Winter flounder Medium Peewee 27 em (11 in)!
Large Small
Large/Mix
Lemon sole
XLarge
Unclassified
Witch flounder Medium Peewee 36 cm (14 in)!
Large Small
Jumbo
Unclassified
Yellowtail flounder Large Small 31 om (12 in)!
Unclassified
American plaice Medium Peewee 31 cm (12 in)!
Large Small
Jumbo
Unclassified
‘Windowpane flounder Unclassified 27 cm (11 in)

"Minimum legal sizes (Multispecies FMP, 50 CFR Part 651, Section 651.23)



Page 16

at
ae

Tons/Year Tons/ Year
Bo si- 2 B si. 2
Large American Piaice 2811 - 100 ‘Small American Plaice @ 25.1 - 100
‘August 1982-1987 Landings a > 100 ‘August 1982—1987 Landings a > 100
—_
Figure 45 Figure 46

iA
CNT
R) Fy
G
im}
Tons/Yeor Tons/Yeor
Bos. 2 a sl: 2
Large American Plaice a at - 3s ‘Small American Plaice 25.1 - 100
September 1982-1987 Landings 9 > 100 September 1982-1987 Landings > 100

Figure 47 Figure 48


Page 22

er Os 1, Cee
A pe fy TTT -
ay! p ces Pr
iol fe 4 “2
al im ES im
5 E
LS L—
a a as
5 tinbers/Yeor 9 Msbere/teer
alrod wrod
Lega Polock Bil Sub—egal Polock Hog
‘Summer Survey Distribution & > 10 ‘Summer Survey Distribution a > 10
Figure 59 Figure 60

Nunbers/Yeor Nunbers/Yeor
ed ree
La il tbe
Adckit White Hoke S.1- 10 Juvenile White Hoke @ S1-10
‘Summer Survey Distribution BS > 10 ‘Summer Survey Distribution a > 10

Figure 61 Figure 62


Page iv

41.
42.
43.
. Small American plaice: July 1982-1987 langings
45,
. Small American plaice: August 1982-1987 landings .
. Large American plaice: September 1982-1987 landings
. Small American plaice: September 1982-1987 landings
. Large redfish: July 1982-1987 landings ..
. Large redfish: August 1982-1987 landings .
. Large redfish: September 1982-1987 landings
. Windowpane flounder: July 1982-1987 landings
. Windowpane flounder: August 1982-1987 landings ..
. Windowpane flounder: September 1982-1987 landings
. Legal Atlantic cod: summer survey distribution ....
. Sub-legal Atlantic cod: summer survey distribution. ..
. Legal haddock: summer survey distribution ...
. Sub-legal haddock: summer survey distribution
. Legal pollock: summer survey distribution .....
}. Sub-legal pollock: summer survey distribution
. Adult white hake: summer survey distribution
. Juvenile white hake: summer survey distribution
. Adult redfish: summer survey distribution
. Juvenile redfish: summer survey distributio1
. Legal winter flounder: summer survey distribution
. Sub-legal winter flounder: summer survey distribution
. Legal witch flounder: summer survey distribution ...
. Sub-legal witch flounder: summer survey distribution ..
. Legal yellowtail flounder: summer survey distribution
). Sub-legal yellowtail flounder: summer survey distributiot
. Legal American plaice: summer survey distribution .
. Sub-legal American plaice: summer survey distribution
. Adult windowpane flounder: summer survey distribution
. Juvenile windowpane flounder: summer survey distribution

Large yellowtail flounder: September 1982-1987 landings
Small yellowtail flounder: September 1982-1987 landing:
Large American plaice: July 1982-1987 landings

Large American plaice: August 1982-1987 landings.



Page 9

== RP oS

HL, BHUP

aan

te i ro]

| 2 ; oT a:
ate in fa] ~The aa

cH z oO

iam 5 i)
ese a
o 8G
Tons/Year Tons/Yeor
Q rs Q wl- oS
8 s.1- 2 8 S1- 2
Large Pollock a 28.1 = 100 Smal Polock 3 8.1 1a
September 1982~1987 Landings > 100 Septernber 1982-1987 Londings > 100
Figure 17 Figure 18

[ if
]
] G
a
Tons/Yeor Tone/Yeor
B si. 2 B sl- 2
Large White Hoke @ 25.1 - 100 ‘Small White Hoke @ 25.1 - 100
“ky 1982~1987 Landings a 5 100 July 1982-1987 Landings aS 100

Figure 19 Figure 20


Page 11

0 a
Ey
—_h4 {
ou Gg
Tons/Yeor Tons/Year
5 sll 2 B sll a
Large Winter Flounder @ 2.1 - 100 © Small Winter Flounder 25.1 - 190
July 1982-1987 Landings a > 100 July 1982-1987 Landings a > 100
Figure 25 Figure 26

H Qo
8 nye ET mal
HE C
——sHe too 8
Qa a

Tons/Yeor Tons/Yeor

Oo b-  S Qo wr Ss

Large Winter Flounder ele Smal Winter Flounder 21s aee
‘August 1982-1987 Landings a5 60 August 1982-1987 Landings BS io

Figure 27 Figure 28


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary
Introduction
Methods
Results ..
References Cited .

Pred

List of Tables

1. Market categories and minimum legal lengths (total length) used to define age categories
in distribution plots ......

List of Figures

1. Large Atlantic cod: July 1982-1987 landings

2. Small Atlantic cod: July 1982-1987 landings

3, Large Atlantic cod: August 1982-1987 landings
4. Small Atlantic cod: August 1982-1987 landings
5. Large Atlantic cod: September 1982-1987 landings
6.
7.
8.
9.

. Small Atlantic cod: September 1982-1987 landings
. Large haddock: July 1982-1987 landings
. Small haddock: July 1982-1987 landings
. Large haddock: August 1982-1987 landings
10. Small haddock: August 1982-1987 landings
11. Large haddock: September 1982-1987 landings
12. Small haddock: September 1982-1987 landings
13. Large pollock: July 1982-1987 landings ...
14. Small pollock: July 1982-1987 landings ...
15. Large pollock: August 1982-1987 landings
16, Small pollock: August 1982-1987 landings
17. Large pollock: September 1982-1987 landings
18. Small pollock: September 1982-1987 landings
19. Large white hake: July 1982-1987 landings ..
20. Small white hake: July 1982-1987 landings ..
21. Large white hake: August 1982-1987 landings
22. Small white hake: August 1982-1987 landings
23. Large white hake: September 1982-1987 landings
24, Small white hake: September 1982-1987 landings
25. Large winter flounder: July 1982-1987 landings .
26. Small winter flounder: July 1982-1987 landings ..
27. Large winter flounder: August 1982-1987 landings
28. Small winter flounder: August 1982-1987 landings
29. Large winter flounder: September 1982-1987 landings
30. Small winter flounder: September 1982-1987 landings
31. Large witch flounder: July 1982-1987 landings
32. Small witch flound july 1982-1987 landings
33. Large witch flounder: August 1982-1987 landings
34, Small witch flounder: August 1982-1987 landings
35. Large witch flounder: September 1982-1987 landings
36. Small witch flounder: September 1982-1987 landings
37. Large yellowtail flounder: July 1982-1987 landings
38. Small yellowtail flounder: July 1982-1987 landings
39. Large yellowtail flounder: August 1982-1987 landings
40. Small yellowtail flounder: August 1982-1987 landings

WOOO MMHDMINIIUANRAAUUUUY

(_

Page iii






Page 23

xg

u

ener
aint
— |b — | Lo

NW we
Numbers/Year Numbers/Teor
Bits B11.
Adut Redfish 5.1 - 10 Juvenile Redfish S.1 - 10
‘Summer Survey Distribution a > 10 Summer Survey Distribution a > 10
Figure 63 Figure 64

pr

apes

oh aa

M220

Pp i er
Numbers/Year Numbers/Yeor
o alb-ol a ard
a Bo wi- §& OQ ii-
Legal Winter Flounder 511-10 ‘Sub-legal Winter Flounder B 51-10
Summer Survey Distribution a > 10 Surnmer Survey Distribution a > 10

Figure 65 Figure 66


Page 7

Tons/Yeor Tons/Yeor

B sl = B s- 2

Large Haddock 25.1 - 100 ‘Smail Haddock . 2511 - 100

August 1982-1987 Landings > 100 August 1982-1987 Landings a > 100
Figure 9 Figure 10

FY
EP Here
A Srp rH aus Be
PE dan
EH IT a Es
H TTT
—_| Sea —
bp u
ie] 8
Tone/Yeor Tons/Yeor
a si. # asi. 2
Large Haddock @ 25.1 - 100 Small Haddock 25.1 - 100
September 1982-1987 Landings > 100 September 1982-1987 Landings 8 > 100

Figure 11 Figure 12


Page 10

Tons/Yeor
5 sl. a
e wl
Large White Hoke . 25.1 - 100
August 1982-1987 Landings. a > 100

TREE u

oy
I

Ge

‘Small White Hake
‘August 1982-1987 Landings

eo00
g
8

Figure 21

Figure 22

Tons/Yeor

3 si. 2

Large White Hoke 25.1 - 100
September 1982-1987 Londngs 8 > 100

YET Tab 4

cy

‘Small White Hake
September 1982-1987 Landings

Tons/Yeor
5

Figure 23

Figure 24