Science Advisory Report  2008/008

Assessment of Divisions 2G-3K Northern Shrimp

Summary

• Resource status was updated based on a Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) fall multi-species research vessel (RV) bottom trawl survey series (1996-2007), which provided information on distribution, abundance, biomass, recruitment, size, and sex composition in the Div. 2J portion of SFA 5 and Hawke Channel + Div. 3K (SFA 6). Trends in stock size were also inferred from fishery catch per unit effort (CPUE) and fishing patterns.
• The Northern Shrimp Research Foundation (NSRF) in partnership with DFO conducted annual shrimp based research surveys in Division 2G (SFA 4) during 2005-2007. 
• Catches were near the all-time high and resource status appears positive.  However, uncertainties increase from south to north due to less fishery independent data.

SFA 6 (Hawke Channel + Division 3K)

• Catches increased from 11,000 t in 1994-1996 to over 78,000 t by 2004/05 due mainly to increases in TAC. The TAC in the 2007/08 management year was 79,000 t and it is anticipated that the TAC will be taken.
• Spatial distribution of the fishery changed little over recent years.
• The large (>500 t) vessel CPUE remained at a high level since 1995 while the small vessel (<100 ft) CPUE has increased significantly since 2003.
• Biomass indices (total, fishable and female) from fall multi-species surveys have generally increased since 1997.
• Recruitment indices in 2006 and 2007 were the highest in the time series.
• Recruitment and female biomass are expected to support the fishery over the next four years.
• The resource continues to be distributed over a broad area and, over the past two years, exploitation rate indices were about 11% of survey fishable biomass.  Recent catches have had no observable impact on the resource.
• Current status remains positive.  At the current TAC the 2008/09 exploitation rate index is expected to be 11-15%.  Any modest change in TAC is expected to have a proportional change in the exploitation rate index.

SFA 5 (Hopedale and Cartwright Channels)

• Catches increased from 7500 t in 1994-1996 to 23,000 t in 2004/05 due mainly to increases in TAC. The TAC in the 2007/08 management year is 23,600 t and it is anticipated that the TAC will be taken.
• Since 1996, CPUE has fluctuated above the long-term average.
• Surveys of the whole of SFA 5 were completed in only three (2001, 2004, 2006) of the last eight years.
• Survey indices (total, fishable and female) after 2000 have been somewhat higher than before 2000.
• Recruitment in the short-term, while uncertain, appears average.  Longer-term prospects are unknown.
• The resource continues to be distributed over a broad area while the 2006/07 exploitation rate index was 15%. Recent catches have had no observable impact on the resource.
• Current status remains positive.

SFA 4 (Division 2G)

• Catches increased from 4000 t in 1994 to 10,000 t by 2004/05 due mainly to increases in TAC.  The TAC is 10,300 t in the 2007/08 management year and it is anticipated that the TAC will be taken.
• Since 2002 CPUE has varied about the long-term average.
• The NRSF-DFO research survey fishable biomass index has ranged between 66,000 t and 119,000 t since 2005.
• Recruitment trends are unknown.
• Exploitation rate indices ranged between 8% and 15% during 2005-2007.
• Current status appears positive from fishery catch rate indices and survey exploitation rate indices.

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