Research Document - 2014/036

Assessment of the American Lobster (Homarus americanus) Stock Status in the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (LFA 23, 24, 25, 26A and 26B)

By A. Rondeau, M. Comeau, and T. Surette

Abstract

This document describes data and analyses used to produce the 2013 science advisory report on American lobster stock status for the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (Lobster Fishing Areas 23, 24, 25, 26A and 26B) (DFO 2013). The assessment is based on indicators of stock abundance, fishing pressure, and stock productivity, which are compared with past values. Overall abundance of lobster in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence remains at high levels with recent landings either well-above the long-term median values or at their peak in the time series. Only the central portion of the Northumberland Strait had low indicators of abundance and productivity. Catch-per-unit of effort (CPUE) for commercial-sized lobsters increased in most sub-regions. Trawl survey data shows increases in the distribution and abundance of commercial-sized lobsters in most areas, though the prevalence of null or small catches indicates low abundance in some areas of the Northumberland Strait. SCUBA survey data suggests that overall lobster abundance has steadily increased between 2000 and 2012 but this contrasts with trends within the central Northumberland Strait. Productivity indicators are generally positive or stable though uncertainty remains as no recent data are available for some areas. Except for the central Northumberland Strait, berried female CPUEs from at-sea sampling data increased in 2012 compared to the 2007 assessment. SCUBA data from Caraquet (NB) show a similar increase. These may be the result of increases in the minimum legal size (MLS) over the last few years. Pre-recruit lobsters (those below the MLS) increased except for the central Northumberland Strait. Data from both the recruitment index program and the bottom trawl survey confirms the low abundance of pre-recruit lobsters in the central Northumberland Strait. The indicator for one-year-old lobsters is also low in the central Northumberland Strait compared to other regions surveyed. The lobster stock status is positive in most Lobster Fishing Areas of the southern Gulf. The central Northumberland Strait presents a special concern due to its very low annual recruitment and high fishing pressure. Additional conservation measures aimed at increasing egg production and lowering fishing effort could be considered.

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