Eastern Georges Bank

• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Canada; Greenland; North Atlantic
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.309.6806; http://www2.mar.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/science/trac/reports/A3-08(2001)E.pdf

The haddock, a bottom dwelling species in the cod family, is found on both sides of the North Atlantic. In the western Atlantic, haddock range from Greenland to Cape Hatteras, with a major concentration on eastern Georges Bank. Georges Bank haddock feed primarily on small invertebrates and are most commonly caught at depths of 45 to 240 meters (25 to 130 fathoms). Adult haddock appear relatively sedentary but seasonal movements occur. On Georges Bank, young haddock grow rapidly at first, reaching over 50 centimeters (20 inches) by age 3, but grow slowly thereafter, reaching about 75 centimeters (30 inches) by age 10. Many haddock mature by age 2 but it is uncertain if these young fish spawn successfully. Georges Bank haddock have supported a commercial fishery since prior to 1900. Bottom trawlers have been the principal gear since their introduction in the 1920s. Landings from Georges Bank, which include the eastern Georges Bank component and the Great South Channel component, averaged about 46,000t between 1935 and 1960 and increased to over 100,000t in the 1960s under heavy exploitation. Subsequently, during the early 1970s, spawning season/area closures were introduced as a means of controlling effort and are still in use today. Following the extension of jurisdiction to 200 miles by coastal states in 1977, only Canada and the USA have fished this stock. Both Canada and the USA impose minimum fish size and mesh size regulations. Additionally, Canada establishes quotas to achieve a target exploitation rate of roughly 20 % or lower of the harvestable population and the USA has instituted a year-round closure of Area II.