NAFO Sci. Coun. Studies, 31:21-56
Greenland Institute of Natural Resources
Pilestr‘de 52, DK-1016 Copenhagen K, Denmark
During the period 1987-95 Japan Marine Fishery Resources Research Center and Greenland Institute of Natural Resources jointly conducted 12 stratified random bottom trawl surveys and 4 pelagic surveys at West Greenland. The bottom trawl surveys covered the area between Cape Farewell and 72° 51'N down to depths approximately 1 500 m. The survey area was restratified in 200 m depth intervals and the biomass and abundance of Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides Walbaum) and roundnose grenadier (Coryphaenoides rupestris Gunnerus) were recalculated. The results of all surveys are presented together with information on length, age and sex distribution and, for Greenland halibut, catches in relation to bottom temperature. Roundnose grenadier was recorded in 2 of the pelagic surveys and the vertical distribution was analyzed based on 59 pelagic hauls covering the entire water column at all times of the day. The length distributions from pelagic trawl hauls were compared to those from bottom hauls.