Research Document - 2010/091

The 2009 assessment of snow crab, Chionoecetes opilio, stock in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (Areas 12, 19, 12E and 12F)

By M. Hébert, E. Wade, M. Biron, P. DeGrâce, J.-F. Landry and M. Moriyasu

Abstract

The 2009 assessment of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (sGSL) snow crab, Chionoecetes opilio, stock (Areas 12, 19, 12E and 12F) is presented. Snow crab in management Areas12, 19, 12E and 12F comprise a single biological population and the sGSL stock is considered as one unit for assessment purposes. Total landings in the sGSL in 2009 were 23,642 t out of a quota of 23,998 t. Some indicators (e.g., CPUE, mean size of commercial-sized adult males and incidence of soft-shelled crabs) showed that the fishery performance in management Areas 12 and 19 was relatively good in 2009. In management Areas 12E and 12F, the fishery performance indicators were poor. The 2009 post-fishery survey biomass of commercial-sized adult male crab in the sGSL was 26,100 t (23,400 t – 29,000 t), a decrease of 46% compared to 2008. Fifty nine percent (59%) of the 2009 biomass was composed of new recruitment. The recruitment to the fishery decreased by 43% relative to 2008. The 2009 residual (hard-shelled crab) biomass was estimated at 10,700 t, a decrease of 48% compared to 2008. The recruitment to the fishery is expected to remain low into 2011. The abundance of mature females has declined since 1990 and reached the lowest observed level during the period from 2006 to 2009. The 2009 exploitation rate in the sGSL was 50%. The estimate of the commercial-sized adult male biomass in 2009 is within the cautious zone of the Precautionary Approach, as defined by the Blim and BUSR reference points for the sGSL snow crab population. A risk analysis of catch options relative to the biomass and removal rate reference points for the 2010 fishery is provided.

Complete document (PDF, 3219 KB)

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.