Results for Greenland halibut and American plaice of the Spanish survey in NAFO Div. 3NO for the period 1997-2007

Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) and American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides) indices from the bottom trawl survey that Spain carries out in Spring since 1995 in div. 3NO of the NAFO Regulatory Area are presented. Mean catch per town, biomass and length distribution for both species, as well as age distribution for Greenland halibut are presented since 1997, year in which the survey extended the depth strata. In 2001, the R/V Vizconde de Eza replaced the C/V Playa de Menduíña in the execution of the survey. We present the transformed to the R/V Vizconde de Eza series for the period 1997-2000, and the original obtained data for the period 2002-2007. In 2001, there are data from the two vessels. Greenland halibut biomass and abundance estimates present a decreasing trend since 1999, cut in year 2007 with a slight increase, but it seems not to be recuperation of the stock. In last years, it can be seen a presence of juveniles, mainly in 2004, but the greatest lengths have failed. Last year all the age classes were poor. For American plaice we can see an increasing trend along the whole period, reaching a maximum of biomass and number in 2006. For this species, a good recruitment occurred in 2004 and we can follow the length mode along the years