Science Advisory Report 2010/018

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 (1996-2009), 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 2005-2009.
• The resource has been decreasing in the south but increasing in the north.

SFA 6 (Hawke Channel + Division 3K)

• Catches increased from 11,000 t in 1994 – 1996 to 78,000 t by 2004/05 and changed little to 2008/09. The 2009/10 TAC was set at 85,725 t but will not be caught largely due to commercial/ operational factors.
• Spatial distribution of the resource and large vessel fishery changed little over recent years. The spatial distribution of the small vessel fishery increased from 1998 to 2007 then decreased to 2009.
• The large (>500 t) vessel CPUE remained at a high level between 1995 and 2006 after which it decreased to 2009. The small vessel (<100 ft) CPUE increased to 2003, remained high until 2007 and then decreased to 2009.
• Biomass indices (total, fishable and female) from fall multi-species surveys generally increased from 1997 to peak levels in 2006 but have since decreased by 50%.
• The recruitment index has been variable, peaking in 2006, but has since declined to the long term average.
• Female spawning stock biomass (SSB) is presently within the cautious zone at 97% of the provisional Upper Stock Reference Point (USR).
• Harvesting the current TAC of 85,725 t in the next management year would cause the 2010/11 exploitation rate index, based upon fishable biomass, to increase to 28%.

SFA 5 (Hopedale and Cartwright Channels)

• Catches increased from 15,000 t in 1997-2002 to around 23,000 t in 2004/05- 2008/09. The 2009/10 TAC was set at 23,300 t and it is anticipated that the TAC will be taken.
• CPUE has been trending upward since 1992 and has been above the long term average since 1995.
• Surveys of the whole of SFA 5 were completed in only four (2001, 2004, 2006, 2008) of the last ten years.
• SFA 5 fishable biomass indices declined by 16% from 2006 to 2008.
• Fishable biomass in Cartwright Channel, surveyed every year, decreased by 40% in 2009. Broad confidence intervals in 2009 indicate uncertainty.
• Recruitment in the short-term, while uncertain, appears average. 
• SSB in SFA 5 was in the healthy zone in 2008, well above the provisional USR.
• Exploitation rate index was 20% in 2008, slightly above the long term mean.

SFA 4 (Division 2G)

• Catches increased from 4000 t in 1994 to 10,000 t in 2004/05 and remained at that level until 2008/09. The 2009/10 TAC was set at 11,320 t and it is anticipated that the TAC will be taken.
• CPUE has increased since 2004/05 and is now well above the long term mean.
• The NSRF-DFO research survey biomass indices (total, female and fishable) have been increasing throughout the five-year time period.
• The recruitment index increased from 2005 to 2008 and has changed little in 2009.
• Exploitation rate indices have decreased from 16% in 2005 to 6% in 2009.
• SSB is currently in the healthy zone, well above the provisional USR.

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