Movements of Atlantic Halibut ( Hippoglossus hippoglossus) in the Canadian North Atlantic

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• Main Authors: Stobo, Wayne T., Neilson, John D., Simpson, Patricia G.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1988
• Subjects: Newfoundland; North Atlantic; Northwest Atlantic
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f88-058; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f88-058

The results of Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) tagging experiments conducted in Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Subareas 3 and 4 between 1958 and 1973 were reexamined. Data from the 230 recaptures indicated a tendency for fish released on the Scotian Shelf to move to the northeast, while fish released on the Newfoundland Grand Bank showed no preferred direction of movement. The Laurentian Channel does not appear to be a barrier to migration for this species. Small (<75 cm) fish moved further than larger fish. The seemingly limited movement by larger fish may be due to acyclic annual migration between feeding and spawning grounds, similar to that suggested for Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis). The extensive movement of Atlantic halibut throughout most of the Canadian Northwest Atlantic suggests that a single area would be the most feasible management unit, encompassing the Scotian Shelf and southern Grand Bank regions.