Profile updated on 29 January 2023

SUMMARY

SUMMARY

IDENTIFICATION

SCIENTIFIC NAME(s)

Merluccius bilinearis

SPECIES NAME(s)

Silver hake

COMMON NAMES

Atlantic hake, New England hake

Silver hake (Merluccius bilinearis) fishery has been conducted on the Scotian Shelf (NAFO Divisions 4VWX) since the mid-1960s, primarily by the distant water fleets of Russia, Cuba, and Japan in the early years. Prior to 1977, fishing on the Scotian Shelf was unrestricted in terms of area, mesh size and season. Since 1995, a fishery has been conducted by the Canadian tonnage class 3 (<65’) mobile gear fleet in and around Emerald and LaHave Basins (DFO 2010).

DFO survey trends in both numbers and biomass show relatively high levels in the early to mid-1980s, followed by a decline to relatively low levels over the period 1988-94 (Figure 4). Abundance and biomass increased in 1995 and 1996, but they have shown a declining trend subsequently, particularly in the case of biomass.

Scotian Shelf silver hake are generally found between 7 and 10o C, in deeper water on the shelf edge and in the Emerald and LaHave basins.


ANALYSIS

No related analysis

SCORES

Management Quality:

Management Strategy:

NOT YET SCORED

Managers Compliance:

NOT YET SCORED

Fishers Compliance:

10.0