Eastern Georges Bank Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) assessment to 2023

Abstract

The 2023 spawning stock biomass of EGB Haddock is above the USR, placing the stock in the Healthy Zone, based on domestically defined reference points. Combined Canada and United States of America (USA) eastern Georges Bank (EGB) Haddock catches in 2023 were 2,840 mt and represented 74% of the combined 3,840 mt quota. Model-estimated spawning stock biomass (SSB) for EGB Haddock has declined from a peak of 83,000 mt in 2016 to 31,733 mt in 2023, which is above the median SSB of 24,939 mt for the time series (1969–2023). The model estimates of the 2020 and 2021 age-1 fish are 110 million and 86 million, and are above the long-term average (9 million; 1968–2022 year-classes). Improvements in Haddock length- and weight-at-age, and fish condition have been observed in the fishery and surveys. Fishing mortality (F) was estimated to be 0.60 and 0.11 for 2022 and 2023, respectively. Sensitivity analyses suggest there is no evidence to suggest M has decreased in the recent time period. Recommended catch advice was 6,160–9,130 mt based on the 25%–75% risk of exceeding the fishing mortality reference.