Science Advisory Report  2010/039

Assessment of Scallops (Placopecten magellanicus) in Scallop Fishing Area (SFA) 29 West of Longitude
65°30'W

Summary

• This scallop fishery has taken place in the portion of Scallop Fishing Area (SFA) 29 west of longitude 65°30′ W since 2001 and is currently conducted by two fleets: the Full Bay Fleet and a limited number of inshore East of Baccaro licence holders (i.e., East of Baccaro Fleet).
• During 2009, a total of 242 t (158 t Full Bay; 84 t East of Baccaro) was landed against a TAC of 250 t.
• Fishing activity in subareas A and E has been sporadic during the last three years, and commercial catch rates in these areas appear to have generally increased since 2007. In subarea B, 2009 commercial catch rates for the Full Bay and East of Baccaro fleets increased from 2008 by 13 and 16%, respectively. The Full Bay and East of Baccaro fleet catch rates in 2009 for subarea C both decreased by 8% from 2008. In 2009, the catch rate for Full Bay remained the same as in 2008, while it continued to decline for East of Baccaro (by 10%).
• All survey abundance indices show a general declining trend since the fishery began in 2001 (2004 for subarea D). Recruitment is presently low in all subareas.
• Two methods were used to estimate exploitation rates in SFA 29 West: one from commercial catch rates, representing more localized conditions, and one from the research survey, which represents broader conditions. Results from both methods were generally consistent. Overall, the exploitation rates estimated for subareas A to D have increased from 2008 to 2009, except in subarea B.
• By-catch of lobster by the SFA 29 West scallop fishery in 2009 was estimated at less than 0.1% of the weight of lobsters landed by the Lobster Fishing Area 34 lobster fishery corresponding to the SFA 29 West area in 2008/2009. All lobsters caught in the scallop fishery were released back into the water, the majority of which were alive and uninjured.
• In subarea A, 2009 exploitation rates from the research survey and commercial catch rates were estimated to be <0.01 and 0.03, respectively. Growth in biomass is expected to be 8% from 2009 to 2010, and there is expected to be little recruitment based on the survey. Landings of 5 t did not result in an appreciable decline in biomass in 2009 and would not be expected to result in an appreciable decline in biomass in 2010.
• In subarea B, 2009 exploitation rates from the research survey and commercial catch rates were estimated to be 0.07 and 0.15, respectively. Growth in biomass is expected to be 14% from 2009 to 2010. Recruitment levels are currently low. Landings of 60 t did not result in an appreciable decline in biomass in 2009 and would not be expected to result in an appreciable decline in biomass in 2010.
• In subarea C, 2009 exploitation rates from the research survey and commercial catch rates were estimated to be 0.26 and 0.32, respectively, both of which exceeded the growth rate (20%) and recruitment from 2008 to 2009. Growth in biomass is only expected to be around 14% from 2009 to 2010 based on the average meat weight of the commercial and recruit size scallops in 2009. Using the survey estimates, catch levels that correspond to a 0.2 exploitation rate (target used in the Bay of Fundy) would be 42 t.
• In subarea D, 2009 exploitation rates from the research survey and commercial catch rates were estimated to be 0.27 and 0.39, respectively. Growth in biomass is only expected to be 15% in 2009/2010 compared to 17% in the previous year. Using the survey estimates, catch levels that correspond to a 0.2 exploitation rate (target used in the Bay of Fundy) would be 64 t.

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