Research Document - 2012/100

Bycatch in the lobster fishery in the Gaspé (LFAs 19 and 20) and the Magdalen Islands (LFA 22), Quebec, in 2011

By L. Gendron and C. Duluc

Abstract

This report provides the results of a quantitative survey of the bycatch in the lobster fishery in North Gaspé (Lobster fishing area, LFA 19C), South Gaspé (LFA 20) and in the Magdalen Islands (LFA 22), Quebec, that was completed in 2011. Sampling was done three times during the lobster fishing season. A total of 6, 12 and 54 samples were collected in LFAs 19C, 20 and 22, respectively. Each sample corresponds to a day at sea with a commercial fishermen where all bycatch species from all traps hauled were identified, counted and weighted. A total of 18 species (or group of species) were identified in the Gaspé and 19 in the Magdalen Islands. In North Gaspé, the rock crab has clearly dominated the bycatch, averaging 70 % by number and 80 % by weight of total bycatch. Hermit crabs and sea stars were also observed, but in lower abundance, accounting respectively for only 2 and 5 % of total bycatch by weight. In South Gaspé, the rock crab and the green sea urchin were the dominant bycatch species, together accounting for 90 % by number and 80 % by weight of total bycatch. Hyas crabs, sculpins, ocean pout and Atlantic cod each accounted for 3 % of total bycatch by weight. In the Magadalen Islands, the green sea urchin dominated the bycatch by number (50 % of total bycatch species), followed by the rock crab (24 %). The rock crab and sculpins are the two species that were most important in terms of weight, contributing respectively 47 % and 20 % of the total weight of the bycatch. The green sea urchin, the sculpins, the hermit crabs and the common whelk each accounted for 5-7 % of total bycatch by weight. The total amount of bycatch that could have been captured during the lobster fishing season in 2011 was estimated according to the scenario where all the authorized fishing effort would have been deployed. It was estimated that bycatch could have potentially reached 27 t, 121 t and 710 t in North Gaspé, South Gaspé and the Magdalen Islands, respectively. In North Gaspé, bycatch could have represented a weight more important than lobster landings, against 15 % in South Gaspé and 27 % in the Magdalen Islands. This work represents a first assessment of bycatch in the Quebec lobster fishery. It is still too early to determine whether the lobster fishery has a negative impact on the bycatch species. A bycatch monitoring program more regular with adequate spatial and temporal coverage, as well as evaluating the survival of individuals returned to the sea would help to determine if the lobster fishery is likely to have negative effects on bycatch species productivity.

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