Results for the Spanish Survey in the NAFO Regulatory Area of Division 3L for the period 2003-2016

Since 2003, a stratified random summer bottom trawl survey was conducted by Spain in the NAFO Regulatory Area of Division 3L (Flemish Pass). The surveys were carried out by the R/V “Vizconde de Eza” using bottom trawl net type Campelen 1800. Entire series of mean catches, biomass and length distribution for Greenland halibut, American plaice and witch flounder are presented for the period 2003-2016. Greenland halibut biomass and abundance estimates presented an increasing trend since 2011, reaching in 2014 one of the highest values of the entire time-series. In the last two years, the biomass show a slight decrease but they remain in the highest values of the series. For American plaice biomass and abundance estimates show an increasing trend since 2010, reaching in 2015 the highest value in the series; in 2016, all indices decreased. Regarding witch flounder, the biomass and abundance show no a clear trend in the whole period, reaching the maximum of the series in 2010 and 2015.Versión del edito