Stock Delineation of Greenland Halibut in the Northwest Atlantic Using a Recently Developed, Multivariate Statistical Analysis Based on Meristic Characters

Abstract

Meristic characters of Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) from eight areas of the Canadian Northwest Atlantic were examined. Using a recently developed multivariate analysis technique, the meristics were analyzed to determine the accurate delineation of Greenland halibut stocks throughout the area investigated. Our findings indicate at least two separate populations of Greenland halibut in the Canadian Northwest Atlantic. These are found in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and from Davis Strait at West Greenland to the northern Grand Bank. There is some evidence, however, of localized spawning stocks in Fortune Bay, Newfoundland and the Labrador area. Based on this analysis, the results tend to agree with those other independent techniques for stock separation of Greenland halibut.