Witch flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus) in the Spanish Fishery in NAFO Regulatory Area (Divisions 3LM and 3NO) 1991-94

• Main Authors: Durán-Muñoz, P. (Pablo), Paz, X. (Xabier)
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo 1997
• Subjects: Greenland; North Atlantic; Northwest Atlantic
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10508/753

The by-catch of witch flounder in the. Greenland halibut Spanish fishery in the NAFO Regulatory Area was analyzed during the period 1991 to 1994. A total of 32483 hauls were sampled. Data from 3N0 Spanish bottom trawl survey were also included in this analysis. Total catch was estimated for this period, showing high variability both by division and by year. The maximum was reached in 1994 in NAFO Div. 3NO.The yield shows seasonality. It was greater in March-April. In the period 1992-96, the annual yield shows a increasing. The length distribution and the length/weight relationshps was obtained in a deep range of 1500m. The length range was 24-58 in males and 26-62 in females. The mean length decreased througth the period analysed, and it was higer in the large vessel catches. The individuals were also larger in 3M division. The sex ratio showed seasonal variation in the large vessels catches, while any clear trend appears in the small ones. In addition to Greenland halibut, which was the target species, the main accompaining species of the witch flounder catches were: redfish, grenadiers, skate and occasionaly American plaice.