An Analysis of Morphometric Characters of Greenland Halibut ( Reinhardtius hippoglossoides ) in the Northwest Atlantic Using a Multivariate Analysis of Covariance

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• Main Author: Bowering, W. R.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1988
• Subjects: Aquatic Science; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Greenland; Davis Strait; Northwest Atlantic
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f88-070; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f88-070

Eleven morphometric characters were measured on samples of Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) from eight different areas of high Greenland halibut abundance throughout the Northwest Atlantic from Davis Strait to the northern Grand Bank. These data were then analysed using a multivariate analysis of covariance technique with the aim of using the results to delineate Greenland halibut stocks throughout the study area. The results suggested that each area examined may very well support a separate stock. However, given the state of knowledge of this resource, this was not believed to be truly the case. Alternative explanations for the results are discussed.