Seasonal Distribution of Sharp-beaked Redfish (Sebastes spp.) in Northeastern Grand Bank

Abstract

Sharp-beaked redfish (Sebastes spp.) are distributed widely in northeastern Grand Bank, NAFO Div. 3L, during all of the year. There appears to be a partial separation between northern and southern distribution in the vicinity of 47° 15'N for all but the third quarter of the year. They move westward along and up the continental slope between the second and third quarters then back easterly during the fourth and first. There may also be some movement between the northern part of the Division and more northern waters (Div. 3K) during the year. The redfish are distributed deepest during the second quarter, then they move into shallower waters in the third quarter before beginning to move deeper again in the fourth and first quarters. Females predominate at depths of 400-449 m during the first quarter and 250-349 m during the third. There is very little geographic separation of the sexes in the second and fourth quarters. The largest fish are generally found in intermediate depths, associated with bottom temperatures of about 2.0° to 4.9°C.