Gulf of St. Lawrence (4RST) Atlantic Halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) Stock Assessment in 2024

Abstract

Status The 2024 exploitable biomass is estimated at 81,392 t, and is above the proposed upper stock reference (USR) with a very high probability, placing the stock in the Healthy Zone of the Precautionary Approach. The fishing mortality rate (F) in 2024 is estimated at 0.03 and is below the maximum sustainable yield exploitation rate (F_msy) estimated by the model with a very high probability. Trends Exploitable biomass has been increasing since the early 2000s, and is currently at its highest level since 1983. Recruitment has been stable at high levels since 2010. Fishing mortality rate (F) has been stable since 2012, at around 30% of F_msy. Ecosystem and Climate Change Considerations The observed rise in water temperatures in the Gulf of St. Lawrence does not appear to be adversely affecting the survival and development of Atlantic halibut. Warming could continue to improve habitat conditions. Stock Advice Constant catch scenarios (2,466 to 4,932 t) indicate, with probabilities greater than 99%, that exploitable biomass will remain above the proposed USR over the two projected years (2025-26 and 2026-27). Under these catch scenarios, exploitable biomass would vary between a 4% increase and a 3% decrease over two years. The fishing mortality rates (F) corresponding to the catch scenarios evaluated all remain under F_msy.