Greenland Halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides). A Review of the Dynamics of its Distribution and Fisheries off Eastern Canada and Greenland

Abstract

Greenland halibut is distributed throughout the deep waters of the northwest Atlantic from as far north as 78° N to as far south as the Grand Bank and Flemish Cap with no apparent break in the continuity of its distribution along the continental slope. It is also found in the fjords of West Greenland and the deepwater bays of eastern Newfoundland and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The biomass of the stock has been declining since the early 1980’s although catches during recent years have reached unprecedented levels. This is mainly due to increased fishing effort primarily in Flemish Pass, Davis Strait and at West Greenland.