Research Document 2017/082
Summary of the 2016 snow crab trawl survey activities in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence
By Wade, E., Moriyasu, M., DeGrâce, P., Landry, J.-F., Allain, R., and Hébert, M.
Abstract
The present document summarizes the details of the 2016 snow crab bottom trawl survey of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence including the details of protocols used for the 2016 trawl survey, survey activities and characteristics of individual tows during the 2016 trawl survey as well as the basic information on the catch of snow crab and other species. The primary objective of the survey is to provide the data on abundance and distribution of snow crab and other by-catch species. The results of in-depth analysis of the survey data were presented in the assessment document. The survey was conducted from July 10 to October 4 using a chartered commercial fishing vessel, the “Jean Mathieu”. A total of 355 grids were visited and 354 grids were successfully sampled. The total duration of the survey was 87 days with 42 days at sea. Total number of immature male crab captured went from 11,431 individuals in 2015 to 11,431 in 2016, whereas mature male crab catches decreased from 3,755 to 5,453. For commercial-male crabs, the number captured increased from 1,741 in 2015 to 2,896 in 2016. For females, the total number of immature female crabs captured increased from 4,904 in 2015 to 5,547 in 2016, and the number of mature female crabs increased from 7,398 in 2015 to 7,854 in 2016. Recorded by-catch (including snow crab) during the 2016 survey consisted of 71 species/groups comprised of 43 fish including skate egg capsules and 28 invertebrates including whelk capsules and one marine plant.
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