Results of comparative fishing between the Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CGSS) Teleost and CCGS John Cabot in the Newfoundland and Labrador Region in Spring 2023

Abstract

Comparative fishing has been ongoing since 2021 in the Newfoundland and Labrador Region as the multispecies survey transitions to new vessels, the Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) John Cabot and CCGS Capt. Jacques Cartier. This program aims to determine differences in relative catchability between the outgoing vessels using the Campelen trawl and the new vessels, using the modified Campelen trawl. Analysis of this program was considered in two CSAS Regional Peer Review meetings. This document presents analyses for the CCGS Teleost operating in spring based on paired tows completed in 2023. The CCGS Teleost is not a primary survey vessel in this region in spring but has been used to supplement or replace the CCGS Wilfred Templeman and CCGS Alfred Needler during the Campelen series. Comparative fishing data were sufficient to estimate conversions for 12 taxa and determine no conversion is required for 34 taxa for the CCGS Teleost spring time series. Additionally, three taxa were found to have insufficient data to estimate a conversion factor. Due to poor sampling coverage in Subdivision 3Ps, data were deemed representative for Northwest Atlantic Fishery Organization (NAFO) Divisions 3LNO only, with a few exceptions made for Subdivision 3Ps.