Research Document - 2006/042
Northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) off Baffin Island, Labrador and northeastern Newfoundland
By Orr, D., P.J. Veitch, and D.J. Sullivan
Abstract
Updates of northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) assessments were performed for NAFO Div. 0B and 2G, Hopedale + Cartwright Channels as well as Hawke Channel + Div. 3K, which correspond to shrimp fishing areas (SFA) 2, 4, 5 and 6, respectively. Status of the resource in each area was inferred, in part, by examining trends in commercial catch, effort, catch-per-unit effort, fishing pattern and size/sex/age composition of the catches. An autumn multispecies research trawl survey series (1995-2005) provided information on distribution, abundance, biomass, size/ sex composition and age structure of shrimp in SFA. 5 and 6.
Catches increased from 29,000 t in 1994 to over 114,000 t by 2004 due mainly to increases in Total Allowable Catch (TAC). The TAC for the 2005-06 management year was set at 120,414 t; it is anticipated that the quota will be taken in most SFA’s.
Annual catches within SFA 6 increased from 11,000 t during 1994-96 to 72,600 t during the 2004 calendar year. The TAC for the 2005-06 management year was set at 77,932 t. It is anticipated that the quota will be taken.
Spatial distribution of the SFA 6 fishery expanded between the mid 90’s and 2000 remaining stable thereafter. The 2005 large (>500 t) vessel Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) remained at a high level, while the small vessel (<65’) CPUE increased significantly during 2004 and remained at a high level during 2005. Biomass and abundance indices from autumn multi-species surveys increased over the 1997-2001 period. Both indices decreased slightly during 2002 but since then abundance remained high while biomass increased to the highest recorded level. The 2003 year class appeared weaker than average; however, the strong residual female biomass is expected to maintain the fishery over the short-term. Medium-term recruitment appears positive due to the presence of a stronger than average 2004 year class. Female spawning stock indices increased from 182,000 t (22 billion animals) in 1997 to 404,000 t (55 billion animals) in 2005. The resource continues to be distributed over a broad area and exploitation rates have remained low with recent catches having no observable impact upon shrimp abundance and biomass.
Catches within SFA 5 (Hopedale + Cartwright Channels) increased from 7500 t in 1994-96 to 26,900 t by 2004. The TAC for the 2005-06 management year was set at 23,300 t and it is anticipated that the quota will be taken. Since 1996, CPUE has remained above the long-term average. Biomass and abundance indices have increased since 1998. Short term recruitment remains uncertain, because the autumn 2005 survey did not extend north of 2J. However, recruitment within Cartwright Channel appears average. Longer term prospects are unknown. The resource continues to be distributed over a broad area and the exploitation rate index remains low. Recent catches have had no observable impact on shrimp abundance and biomass.
The Northern Shrimp Research Foundation, in partnership with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, conducted a shrimp based research survey into Div. 2G (SFA 4) and 0B (SFA 2). This was the first of at least five consecutive annual surveys into these shrimp fishing areas.
Catches within SFA 4 increased from 4000 t in 1994 to 11,500 t by 2004. The TAC in the 2005-06 management year was set at 10,320 t and it is anticipated that the quota will be taken. Fishery catch rates declined since 2001 to the long-term average in 2004 and 2005.
Catches within SFA 2 (NAFO Div. 0B) increased from 100 t in 1993 to 6,700 t in 2005. The TAC for the 2005-06 management year was set at 8,750 t, but it is doubtful that the quota will be taken. CPUE has been relatively stable at a high level since 1998.
Accessibility Notice
This document is available in PDF format. If the document is not accessible to you, please contact the Secretariat to obtain another appropriate format, such as regular print, large print, Braille or audio version.
- Date modified: