Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus) COSEWIC assessment and status report 2012: chapter 2

Assessment Summary – November 2012

Common name
Atlantic Wolffish

Scientific name
Anarhichas lupus

Status
Special Concern

Reason for designation
This species underwent steep declines in both abundance and area of occupancy over much of its range from the 1980s until the mid-1990s, including its historical stronghold in waters east and north of Newfoundland. Since then it has been increasing in abundance and area of occupancy. While these recent increases are encouraging, the species remains at low abundance compared to the early 1980s. Population increases have probably been aided by reduced commercial fisheries, which take wolffish as bycatch. There have been continuing declines in abundance on the Scotian Shelf and in the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, where historically there were fewer individuals than in areas to the east and north.

Occurrence
Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean

Status history
Designated Special Concern in November 2000. Status re-examined and confirmed in November 2012.