Distribution and Abundance of Beaked Redfish in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 1976-81

Abstract

The distribution of beaked redfishes of the genus Sebastes in the Gulf of St. Lawrence was determined from bottom-trawl surveys in summer, autumn and winter during 1976-81. Redfish were found in depths greater than 180 m where bottom temperatures ranged from 2° to 7° C. They were distributed throughout the deepwater areas of the Gulf during summer and early autumn but migrated southward and eastward during autumn and early winter to become concentrated in the southeastern region of the Gulf. Juvenile redfish tended to prefer somewhat shallower depths than adults. Small redfish (<=15 cm), indicative of successful year-classes, were found to be concentrated mainly in the nursery area in the northern part of the Esquiman Channel in summer, but, as they became older, they were more dispersed throughout the Gulf.