Research Document 2017/066

A Review of Rotational Management of Fisheries and its Application to Canadian East Coast Arctic Surfclam (Mactromeris polynyma)

By O’Boyle, R., Roddick, D., and Sinclair, M.

Abstract

The quota-regulated fisheries for Arctic Surfclam (Mactromeris polynyma) on Banquereau and the Grand Banks have been managed under one plan since 1986 and 1989, respectively, with license holders having access to quota in both areas. Previous assessments indicated that the status of the resource was generally healthy with fishable biomass close to virgin conditions, and catch below the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) (based on F = 0.33M). A 2015 review of the management plan concluded that it would ensure the maintenance of high spawning stock biomass although it was recommended that a spatial or rotational management approach be explored to ensure greater commercial viability of the fishery. In support of the examination of rotational management for Surfclam, this paper provides an overview of the theory of rotational management and an examination of case studies of its application to benthic sessile invertebrates to develop best practice in application of this management approach. Preliminary analyses of the appropriate recovery period for Surfclam were undertaken, which suggest that there are limited benefits to the rotational management of the Surfclam fishery, at least over a range of 2 – 20 years of rotation. This may be due to the current fishery’s optimal exploitation of the age/size groups in the stock. This document concludes with observations on the application of rotational management to Arctic Surfclam in Atlantic Canada.

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