Minimum Size Regulations and the Implications for Yield and Value in the Canadian Atlantic Halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) Fishery

The effect of a minimum size regulation on yield and value per recruit in the Canadian Atlantic halibut fishery was examined. The model indicated that under most scenarios, the size limit would not result in increased yield per recruit. In general, yield per recruit was more sensitive to fishing mortality than age of first entry to the fishery. While reduced yields were usually associated with the minimum size limit, the value per recruit increased with increasing age at entry to the fishery until age 7. The changes in value per recruit reflected the size composition of landings following the imposition of the size limit and the different values associated with various size categories. Both yield and value per recruit were sensitive to the choice of the natural mortality rate.