http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/sos/spsyn/og/pout/Distribution, Biology and Management
The ocean pout, Zoarces americanus, is a demersal eel-like species found in the Northwest Atlantic from Labrador to Delaware. In US waters, ocean pout are assessed as a unit stock from Gulf of Maine/Cape Cod Bay south to Delaware (Figure 17.1).
Stock identification studies suggest the existence of two stocks: one occupying the Bay of Fundy-northern Gulf of Maine region east of Cape Elizabeth, and a second stock ranging from Gulf of Maine/Cape Cod Bay south to Delaware (Olsen and Merriman, 1946). The southern stock is characterized by faster growth rates, and to date has supported the commercial fishery.
Ocean pout may attain lengths up to 98 cm (39 in.) and weights of 5.3 kg (14.2 lb). Ocean pout prefer depths of 15 to 80 m (8 to 44 fm.) and temperatures of 6° to 7° C (43° to 45° F). Tagging studies and NEFSC bottom trawl survey data indicate that ocean pout do not undertake extensive migrations, but rather move seasonally to different substrates (Bigelow and Schroeder 1953). During this period, ocean pout are not available to commercial fishing operations. Typically, catches increase when adults return to their feeding grounds in late autumn and winter. The diet consists primarily of invertebrates, with fish being only a minor component (Stemile et al. 1999). Median length at maturity for females was 26.2 cm and 31.3 cm for the Gulf of Maine area and Southern New England area, respectively, with a possible three-year egg development period (O’Brien et al. 1993). Mercer et al. (1993) and Yao and Crim (1995) indicate that ocean pout eggs are internally fertilized.
United States commercial fisheries for ocean pout are managed under the New England Fishery Management Council's Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Under this FMP, ocean pout are included in a complex of 15 groundfish species managed by time/area closures, gear restrictions, minimum size limits, and, since 1994, by direct effort controls including a moratorium on permits and days-at-sea restrictions. The goal of the management program is to reduce fishing mortality to allow stocks within the complex to rebuild above minimum biomass thresholds, and to attain and remain at or near target biomass levels. The information provided herein reflects the results of the most recent peer-reviewed assessment for ocean pout (Wigley and Col, 2005).
The Fishery
Commercial interest in ocean pout has waxed and waned. Ocean pout were marketed as a food fish during World War II, and landings peaked at 2,000 mt in 1944. However, an outbreak of a protozoan parasite that caused lesions on ocean pout eliminated consumer demand for this species. From 1964 to 1974, an industrial fishery developed, and nominal catches by the U.S. fleet averaged 4,700 mt. Distant-water fleets began harvesting ocean pout in large quantities in 1966, and total nominal catches peaked at 27,000 mt in 1969 (Figure 17.2
). Foreign catches declined substantially afterward, and none have been reported since 1974.
Figure 17.2
Commercial fisheries are conducted year round although peak activity occurs during the late winter and early summer. Otter trawl is the primary gear used. United States landings declined to an average of 600 mt annually during 1975 to 1983. Catches increased in 1984 and 1985 to 1,300 mt and 1,500 mt respectively, due to the development of a small directed fishery in Cape Cod Bay supplying the fresh fillet market. Landings have declined more or less continually since 1987. In recent years, landings from the southern New England/Mid-Atlantic area have continued to dominate the catch, reversing landing patterns observed in 1986-1987, when the Cape Cod Bay fishery was dominant. The shift in landings is attributed to the changes in management (gear) regulations. Total commercial landings in 2005 were 3.6 mt, a record low in the time series (Table 17.1).
Ocean pout discarding occurs in the commercial fishery primarily with otter trawl, longline and lobster pot gears. In recent years, discards appear to have exceeded landings (Wigley and Col, 2005).
Besides, haven't you ever had unagi sushi?
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