American Plaice
Hippoglossoides platessoides
Recent Assessment (Div 3M - 2011): This stock continues to be in a very poor condition. Recruitment improved recently and these year classes will be recruiting to spawning stock biomass over the next few years. Although the level of catches since 1996 is low, all the analysis indicates that this stock is at a very low level.
There should be no directed fishery in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Bycatch should be kept at the lowest possible level.
(Div. 3LNO - 2011):The stock remains low compared to historic levels and although SSB is increasing, it is estimated to be below Blim. Estimated recruitment at age 5 indicates that the 2003 year-class is comparable to the 1987-1990 year-classes but well below the long-term average.
There should be no directed fishing on American plaice in Div. 3LNO in 2012 and 2012. Bycatches of American plaice should be kept to the lowest possible level and restricted to unavoidable bycatch in fisheries directing for other species.
Conservation Plans and Rebuilding Strategies have been developed for American plaice in Div. 3NO.
