Science Advisory Report  2011/005

Assessment of Lumpfish in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (3Pn, 4RST) in 2010

Summary

• Lumpfish in the Gulf are managed by two separate management plans, one in 3Pn and 4R and the other in 4S. There is no plan in 4T. The biological structure of populations and the relevance of these units are unknown. Therefore, this assessment represents an overall update for the areas of interest in the Gulf.
• Traditionally, the lumpfish caviar fishery was highly dependent on market conditions. However, since 2005, landings have declined sharply despite a lucrative market.
• Landings dropped from 264 t in 2005 to 11 t in 2009 and then increased slightly to 36 t in 2010. The 2009 value was the lowest since 1993. This decline by 95% occurred over a four-year period.
• The absence of an abundance index makes it difficult to assess the status of lumpfish. Following the 2006 assessment, a lumpfish size frequency sampling program in the commercial fishery was introduced in 4S.
• The tagging program indicates that 72% of lumpfish are recaptured within 25 km of where they were tagged the previous year. Laboratory studies suggest that the tags could corrode and detach from tagged individuals. It is therefore not currently possible to determine the population structure and levels of mortality.
• The sharp decline in landings, effort and yields suggests a significant decline in resource abundance. The long-term effects on egg production resulting from spawners being caught are unknown. The exploitation rate is also unknown. Despite the uncertainties, this assessment indicates that the status of this resource is very weak and likely overexploited.

This Science Advisory Report is from the Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat, Regional Advisory Meeting of February 14, 2011 on Assessment of Lumpfish in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (3Pn, 4RST). Additional publications from this process will be posted as they become available on the DFO Science Advisory Schedule.

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