Research Document 2019/040

Assessment of the whelk fishery in Quebec's inshore waters – methodology and results

By Brulotte, S.

Abstract

The Waved Whelk, Buccinum undatum, is a gastropod mollusc that is found along the coasts of the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence. In Québec, whelk growth is fairly slow and it can reach a shell height of 120–130 mm. Its life span is approximately 15 years.

There are 15 whelk fishing areas in Québec waters. The whelk fishery uses traps and focuses essentially on Buccinum undatum, although some other species of Buccinum are present. The fishery is regulated by the number of licences, the number of traps and the minimum legal size of 70 mm. Quotas on landings are in place in six areas. The stock status is determined primarily based on commercial fishery indicators.

In 2017, whelk landings totalled 1,329 t in Québec. A total of 77% of these landings were from the North Shore (areas 1 to 9), 8% from the Gaspé Peninsula-Lower St. Lawrence (areas 11 to 14) and 15% from the Îles-de-la-Madeleine (area 15). Landings increased in most fishing areas compared to 2014 and TACs, when present, have been reached only in fishing area 12. In 2017, catches per unit effort (CPUE) were above their reference average in areas 1, and 2, close to their average in areas 4, 6, 7, 12, 13 and 15 and under their average in areas 3, 5 and 8. In the last three areas, CPUEs measured in 2017 were among the lowest values observed since 2001. Mean sizes have been roughly stable in all areas since 2011. In 2017, the proportion of whelk measuring less than the legal limit (< 70 mm) in landings was less than 4% everywhere except in areas 1 (12%), 2 (6%) and 8 (7%).

The research survey shows that in 2017 in areas 1 and 2, the density of whelks (≥ 70 mm) was higher than in previous years (2005 to 2015). However, the density of whelks of 20 to 69 mm was around the average. The whelk densities obtained during the 2016 survey in the Îles-de-la-Madeleine were low. The highest densities were observed in fishing areas. Boring polychaetes would be responsible for the weakening of the shell whelks.

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