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Structure over Time of an Exploited Deep-Water Fish Assemblage

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Deep-Water Fisheries of the North Atlantic Oceanic Slope

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((NSSE,volume 296))

Abstract

The structure of a deep water fish assemblage on the upper continental slope of Canada’s Labrador Sea was studied using a survey time series dataset from the years 1978 to 1991. Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) and roundnose grenadier (Coryphaenoides rupestris) were the dominant regular members of the assemblage, and both were commercially exploited. Less abundant but regular members of the upper slope assemblage (Antimora, Centroscyllium, Macrourus, and Nezumia) were not the subject of a fishery, although all occurred as by-catch. Overall biomass of the commercial species declined significantly during the period, and the mean size of Greenland halibut was reduced by half. The biomass of non-target species was less affected, and the mean sizes of less abundant species changed very little, except for broadhead wolffish (Anarhichas denticulatus) which almost doubled in size. There were no consistent temperature changes in the geographic area occupied by the assemblage. Population shifts, mostly from north to south and including dominant species such as Greenland halibut and witch flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus), took place on the shallower adjacent continental shelf but did not occur within the region. The structure of the assemblage on Labrador’s upper continental slope is similar to other upper slope assemblages. Focus on faunal regions and overall species ranges seems preferable to arbitrary management zones. Scientific and socio-economic matters relating to fisheries on the upper slope must be addressed in the same time and space frameworks.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Newfoundland, A1B 3X7, Canada

    Richard L. Haedrich

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  1. Richard L. Haedrich
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  1. Sea Fish Industry Authority, Hull, UK

    Alan G. Hopper (Technical Director) (Technical Director)

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Haedrich, R.L. (1995). Structure over Time of an Exploited Deep-Water Fish Assemblage. In: Hopper, A.G. (eds) Deep-Water Fisheries of the North Atlantic Oceanic Slope. NATO ASI Series, vol 296. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-8414-2_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-8414-2_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

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