Assessment of the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence (Divisions 4RST) Capelin (Mallotus villosus) stock in 2022 and 2023

Abstract

Status Due to the absence of an approved Limit Reference Point (LRP), the stock status of 4RST capelin in 2022 and 2023 is uncertain. Trends Since mid-2010, the index of mature biomass varied without a noticeable trend around the time series average (1995-2022). The index of fishing mortality was highly variable over the period 1996-2023 and was low in 2022 and 2023 relative to the time series. Ecosystem and Climate Change Considerations Increasing water temperatures in the Gulf of St. Lawrence may negatively affect capelin habitat availability but impact on stock productivity remains uncertain. Stock Advice The 2023 stock status of 4RST capelin is uncertain. However, given that the index of mature biomass has varied without trend since the mid-2010s and the index of fishing mortality was low with respect to the biology of the species, harvest levels attained since 1996 (741 to 11,825 t) are unlikely to pose a risk to the stock in 2024 and 2025.