Research Document 2019/071

Summary of the 2017 and 2018 snow crab bottom trawl survey activities in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence

By Allain, R., Surette, T., Landry, J.-F., Boudreau, S., Hébert, M., and Moriyasu, M.

Abstract

The present document summarizes the details of the 2017 and 2018 snow crab bottom trawl surveys conducted in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (sGSL). Details of survey protocols and activities, tow characteristics and information on snow crab catches and by-catch species are included. The primary objective of these surveys is to provide data on abundance and distribution of snow crab and other by-catch species. In-depth analysis results of the survey data are presented in the assessment document. The surveys were conducted from July to September using a chartered commercial fishing vessel, the “Jean Mathieu”. A total of 355 grids were visited and 353 and 354 grids were successfully sampled in 2017 and 2018, respectively. The total duration of the 2017 survey was 75 days with 42 days at sea while the 2018 survey lasted 60 days with 41 days at sea. Total number of adult male crab catches increased from 4,995 in 2017 to 5,439 in 2018 whereas catches of commercial-male crabs increased from 2,001 to 2,441. For adult females, the total number of crabs slightly decreased from 8,819 in 2017 to 8,802 in 2018. Recorded by-catch during the 2017 and 2018 surveys consisted of 76 and 78 species/groups that comprised of 48 fish and 28 and 30 invertebrates, respectively.