Distribution, Abundance, and Spawning of Yellowtail Flounder, Limanda ferruginea , in the Newfoundland Area of the Northwest Atlantic

• Published in: Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada
• Main Author: Pitt, T. K.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1970
• Subjects: Newfoundland; Northwest Atlantic; Strait of Belle Isle
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f70-254; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f70-254

Yellowtail flounder were found as far north as the Strait of Belle Isle; however, the main concentrations were located on Grand and St. Pierre banks. The highest concentrations were found at 31–35 fath (57–64 m) and temperatures of 3.1–4.8 C. Abundance on the Grand Bank apparently increased from 1961 to 1968 coincident with a general upward trend in bottom temperatures and a drastic reduction in the haddock population. The peak spawning period was the latter half of June. Fifty percent of the males were sexually mature at age 5 and 31 cm, and 50% of females at age 6 and 37 cm.