Capelin Stock Assessment in NAFO Divisions 3NO Based on Data from Trawl Surveys

The purpose of this work is to assess the current state of capelin stock in Divisions 3NO. Indices of capelin trawl biomass obtained in Canadian random-stratified bottom trawl surveys are the only available at the present time indicators of capelin stock dynamics. In 2007, trawl biomass of capelin in Divisions 3NO was 29.2 thousand tons. In 2008 trawl biomass increased sharply and was 114.6 thousand tons tons, that corresponded to the highest level of the stock since 1996. The average catch in 2007-2008 per 1 km2 was 0.41 t and 1.56 t. The estimate in 2008 corresponds slight increase of the stock observed in 1994. Fishery was conducted in the years when this value was equal or higher than 2 t/km2. Capelin stock in Divisions 3NO remains at the very low level