“…The two flatfish species are characterized by discrete stocks in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence (EGSL) (DFO, 2021; Gauthier et al ., 2021). Despite their high commercial importance, larval ecology remains poorly resolved for both species (Dominguez‐Petit et al ., 2013; Duffy‐Anderson et al ., 2013; Shackell et al ., 2022), and most of the knowledge on early life stages comes from laboratory studies (AH: Blaxter et al ., 1983; Dominguez‐Petit et al ., 2013; Jonassen et al ., 1999; Mangor‐Jensen et al ., 1997; Pittman et al ., 1990; GH: Stene et al ., 1998; Stickney & Liu, 1993). In fact, only about 60 larvae captured at sea have been reported for AH over the whole species distribution (Bergstad & Gordon, 1993; Haug, 1990; Van Der Meeren et al ., 2013).…”