Age-dependent distribution of demersal juvenile Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in inshore/offshore northeast Newfoundland

Demersal juveniles of the 2J3KL northern cod (Gadus morhua) stock complex were widely distributed in inshore and offshore areas of NAFO Division 3KL during early winter (1992-1994), following stock collapse. Catch rate at ages 0 and 1 was inversely related to bottom depth in all three years. Catch rate at age 3 was positively related to depth in two of the three years and positively related to bottom temperature all three years. An ontogenetic pattern in distribution existed whereby age 0 fish were distributed almost exclusively in the inshore, age 1 fish extended further onto shelf areas, and larger juveniles were widely distributed on the shelf. With increasing age, there was a logarithmic decrease in the ratio of mean catch rate inshore compared with offshore. Significant differences in catch rates at ages 2 and 3 support the concept of a decrease in year-class strength each year from 1989 to 1991. Apparent increases in mean catch rate of age 0 and 1 fish in 1993 and 1994 were not statistically higher than that of 1992. The observations are discussed in relation to inshore and offshore spawning and future surveys designed to minimize bias in indices of prerecruit abundance, during the rebuilding phase of the northern cod stock complex.