Updated index of abundance to 2021 for winter flounder from NAFO div. 4T

Abstract

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Fisheries Resource Management has instituted a multi year management approach for the Winter Flounder stock of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (sGSL; Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Division 4T). The last full assessment of the Winter Flounder of the sGSL (Surette and Rolland 2019) was completed in March 2017 with advice for the May 2017 to May 2022 fisheries period. An interim update of stock status was also completed in 2019 (DFO 2020). This stock did not undergo a full stock assessment in 2021 as was planned in its 5 year assessment cycle (DFO 2016, 2017) since a recovery plan is currently under development and is expected to be published in 2022. Instead, an update of indicators of stock status is presented to inform decision making. This Science Response Report results from the Regional Science Response Process of March 1, 2022 on the update of indicators to 2021 of Winter Flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) from NAFO Division 4T, southern Gulf of St. Lawrence.