Changes in abundance and distribution of the Barents Sea long rough dab, hippoglossoides platessoides (Fabricius) during the period 1980- 1992

Abstract

Abundance and biomass of long rough dab in tha Barents Sea and adjacent waters were assessed from bottom trawl survey data from research surveys by Norway and Russia, during the period 1980- 1992. Although there was no directed fishery for this species, with only a 1000-6000 ton bycatch by the Russian fleet, the population abundance and biomass were reduced by 50% of the long term average during 1986 to 1988. Subsequently the population began to increase to pre-1985 levels. We suggest that these fluctuations reflect changes in availability of the population to the survey gear, however the mechanism responsible is not clear.