Predicting variability in catch‐per‐effort in Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, trap and gillnet fisheries

Abstract

The relationships between catch rates and fish abundance, hydrographic conditions and fishing effort, for Atlantic cod caught by trapnets (fixed gear) and gillnets (non‐fixed gear) in the northern Gulf of St Lawrence have been quantified. Daily changes in trap catch rates were accounted for by changes in salinity, currents and mean local cod densities in 1985 (R2= 0.78), and predicted 1986 trap catch rate changes (by 1985 model) were correlated significantly with those observed (r= 0.60, P < 0.05). In contrast, the daily changes in 1985 gillnet catch rates were determined by currents, maximum (not mean) local cod densities, and fishing effort (negative) (R2= 0.68), while predicted 1986 gillnet catch rates (by 1985 model) were significantly correlated with those observed (r= 0.35, P < 0.05). Seasonal catchability coefficients of the traps were similar in 1985 and 1986, but for gillnets this index was an order of magnitude higher in 1986 than in 1985.