Research Document - 2016/026
An Assessment of Newfoundland and Labrador Snow Crab (Chionoecetes opilio) in 2014
By D. Mullowney, E. Dawe, W. Coffey, S. Quilty, E. Colbourne, and D. Maddock Parsons
Abstract
Resource status was evaluated throughout Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Divisions (Divs.) 2HJ3KLNOP4R based on trends in biomass, recruitment, production, and mortality. Multiple indices of these metrics were derived from a suite of data sources that include dockside-monitored landings, harvester logbooks, at-sea observer monitoring, pre- and post‑season trawl surveys, broad-scale post-season trap surveys, localized inshore trap surveys, a vessel monitoring system (VMS), and biological and oceanographic sampling data from multiple sources. The resource was assessed separately for offshore and inshore areas of each NAFO division, where applicable (Divs. 3KLPs). Data availability varied among divisions and between inshore and offshore areas within divisions. Trap and trawl surveys indicate that overall the exploitable biomass has recently declined and Divs. 3LNO now account for most of the biomass. Overall, recruitment has declined in recent years and is expected to decline further in the short term (two‑three years) although it may improve thereafter. The emergence of a pulse of small crabs, associated with cooling oceanographic conditions in the past three years, suggest a modest increase in recruitment within some NAFO Divisions in about six to eight years. However, a warm oceanographic regime suggests weak recruitment in the longer term. Trends in indices are described in detail for each division and conclusions are presented with respect to the anticipated effects of short-term changes in removal levels on fishery-induced mortality.
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