Research Document 2017/050
Trends in the biomass, spatial distribution and size composition of snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) based on the multi-species bottom trawl survey of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, 1980-2016
By Benoît, H.P.
Abstract
The research vessel bottom-trawl survey of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence undertaken each September (RV survey) provides reliable standardized indices of biomass, spatial distribution and habitat use of commercial-sized male snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) for 2001 to 2016 and of all snow crab (aggregated index) for 1980 to 2016. This document provides an update for these indices based on the results of the 2016 RV survey. This information was provided in support of the regional snow crab assessment process that took place in Moncton, NB on January 25 and 26, 2017. Of particular note, the RV survey confirmed an important increase in the biomass of commercial-sized adult male snow crab in 2016 as was also estimated by the dedicated snow crab survey. Also, RV surveys since 2012 had captured unusually high numbers of small crabs (≤15 mm) in several areas of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, whereas catches in 2016 were considerably lower and around values observed in the late 2000s.
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.
- Date modified: