The analysis of temporal and environmental influence on commercial catch rate of yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea)

Posluns, Emma G. (2012) The analysis of temporal and environmental influence on commercial catch rate of yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea). Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (3MB)

Abstract

For the commercial fishing industry, efficiency and sustainability are key aspects of business. Knowing when and where to harvest, along with the environmental traits associated with good fishing grounds, minimizes costly fuel and time spent searching for fish. Quantifying this knowledge not only creates a baseline of habitat information, but also preserves fishing patterns for use by future harvesters or in developing fisheries. This study investigates temporal and spatial patterns in the catch rates of yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea) recorded by factory freezer trawlers operating on the Grand Bank of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The temporal analysis revealed that commercial catch rates are higher at night as well as during winter and summer. The findings suggest that ambient light levels and environmental factors are important for successful yellowtail flounder- trawl interactions. Spatial analysis is used to show the interactions between environmental variables and yellowtail flounder catch rates. It was found that wind speed, water depth, sediment type, and bottom water temperature all relate to catch rate, but in varying degrees. The results of this project provide evidential support for improved data collection, storage, and analysis by our industry partner.

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