Calculation of the calibration factors for witch flounder and squid from the comparative experience between the R/V Cornide de Saavedra and the R/V Vizconde de Eza in Flemish Cap in 2003 and 2004.

• Main Author: González-Troncoso, D. (Diana)
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo 2016
• Subjects: Saavedra; North Atlantic; Northwest Atlantic
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10508/10255

EU carries out a stratified random summer bottom trawl survey in Flemish Cap, Division 3M of the NAFO Regulatory Area, since 1988. Since 1991, the survey was made with the R/V Cornide de Saavedra. In 2003, this vessel was replaced for the R/V Vizconde de Eza, so, in order to maintain the series obtained from the old vessel, a two year comparative fishing trial between the two vessels was made in the years 2003 and 2004. This work presents the methods used for the transformation of the series and their results for biomass and length distribution for two species in the area: witch flounder and squid. For both species, the R/V Vizconde de Eza is more efficient that the R/V Cornide de Saavedra for the biomass, with values of FPC equal to 1.7573 in the case of the witch flounder and 1.2792 in the case if the squid. Witch flounder biomass and abundance are very fluctuating, especially since 2003, with the change of vessel, and in general, small individuals are not present during the survey. For squid the biomass and abundance are low except for years 1991, 1992, 2006 and 2008. In 2013 and 2015, no catches were reported during the survey. All the numbers are very poor in general. Postprint 0,0000