Fish on the West Greenland shrimp grounds, 1988-1992

• Published in: ICES Journal of Marine Science
• Main Authors: Pedersen, S. A., Kanneworff, P.
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford University Press 1995
• Subjects: Articles; Greenland; atlantic cod; Boreogadus saida; Gadus morhua; polar cod
• Online Access: http://icesjms.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/52/2/165; https://doi.org/10.1016/1054-3139(95)80033-6

Analysis of catch data from five bottom trawl surveys (1988–1992) documents coincidence between shrimp and important nursery grounds for a number of fish species, especially redfish ( Sebastes spp.), Greenland halibut ( Reinhardtius hippoglossoides ), Atlantic cod ( Gadus morhua ), and polar cod ( Boreogadus saida ). The estimated overall combined trawlable shrimp and fish biomasses showed no clear trends between years. However, redfish, Greenland halibut and Atlantic cod showed large fluctuations due to variability in year-class strength. In 1992 the fish catches were identified to 64 taxonomic units (49 species). Boreal fish species occurred most frequently in the hauls in the southern part of the survey area. There were a decreasing trend in the CPUEs of boreal species from 1988 to 1992. It is concluded that the West Greenland shrimp grounds can be considered as fish assemblage areas appropriate for studying the effects of the shrimp fishery on the shrimp and fish populations as well as the dynamics between these resources.