MONKFISH
(06/06 NCDMF)

Stock Status - Recovering - The 2004 Northeast Regional Stock Assessment Workshop (SAW-40) determined the stock is not overfished based on existing reference points. Fishing mortality rates estimated from Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) and cooperative survey data are not sufficiently reliable for evaluation of fishing mortality with respect to reference points.

Average Commercial Landings and Value 1996-2005 – 448,717 lbs./$406,375

2005 Commercial Landings and Value – 88,690 lbs./$84,312 (quota managed)

Average Recreational Landings 1996-2005 – insufficient data to quantify.

Status of Fishery Management Plan (FMP) – In North Carolina, monkfish is currently included in the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Management Plan, which defers to the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC)/ Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) FMP compliance requirements in federal waters (3 –200 miles). Currently managed under Amendment 2 of the FMP, it establishes Northern (NFMA) and Southern (SFMA) fishery management areas with annual quotas for each area, limited entry along with different permit categories for the directed fishery, allocates days at sea fishing for monkfish, daily trip limits and still allows the traditional incidental catch to occur. The target total allowable catches (TAC) for FY 2006 (May 1, 2006 – April 30, 2007) are 17,021,400 lbs. for the NFMA and 8,067,400 lbs. for the SFMA.

Research and Data Needs - Reliable estimate of fishing mortality, commercial fishery sampling, determine timing and location of spawning, bycatch and discard estimates, age and growth studies.

Current Regulations (2006) - 17 inches total length (TL) and 11 inches tail length in the Northern and Southern Fishery Management areas.

Harvest Season - In North Carolina large mesh gill net restrictions in place to protect sea turtles and harbor porpoises significantly limit the directed gill net fishery. A directed commercial fishery occurs from March 16th through April 14th. During this time, fishermen harvesting monkfish in state waters using gill nets greater than seven inches stretched mesh must hold a valid Monkfish Large Mesh Gill Net Permit and limit fishing activity to a one mile wide area extending from two miles seaward of the coastline to three miles seaward of the coastline from the North Carolina/Virginia state line southward to Wimble Shoals (Latitude 35° 30’N).

Size and Age at Maturity – Males: 14.5 inches/3 years; Females: 19 inches/4 years

Historical and Current Maximum Age - Males: 9 years/Females: 11 years

Juvenile Abundance Index 1996-2005 – N/A

Habits/Habitats –Monkfish, also called goosefish or anglerfish, range from the Grand Banks and northern Gulf of St. Lawrence south to Cape Hatteras. Found from inshore out to depths greater than 800 meters, monkfish are most common in depths ranging from 70 to 100 meters. Migration is driven by spawning and feeding. Spawning occurs offshore in early spring in North Carolina and lasts until late September in northern latitudes. Eggs are buoyant and float in huge gelatinous masses until hatching. Monkfish are bottom fish that have a modified first dorsal spine that is used to attract prey. The tip of the spine possesses a red fleshy flap of skin that can be wiggled to lure in prey, which is then engulfed in their large mouth. Prey includes spiny dogfish, skates, weakfish, tautog, flounders and sea birds.