Research Document 2017/032
An Assessment of Newfoundland and Labrador Snow Crab (Chionoecetes opilio) in 2015
By Mullowney, D., Coffey, W., Evans, G., Colbourne, E., Maddock Parsons, D., Koen-Alonso, M., and Wells, N.
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. 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 to its lowest observed level, and Div. 3L now accounts for most of the biomass. Overall, recruitment has declined in recent years and is expected to decline further in the short term (2-3 years). 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 5 to 7 years. However, a warm oceanographic regime coupled with relatively low abundance of young crabs for the past decade suggests overall weak recruitment in the long 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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