Science Advisory Report 2011/042
An assessment of Sea Scallop on the St. Pierre Bank (Subdivision 3Ps)
Summary
- This is a pulse fishery with peaks in 1982, 1988 and 2004. Since 2005 landings have ranged between 300 t and 800 t (in 2010).
- A Canadian research survey in September 2010 resulted in a minimum dredgeable biomass estimate of 7,500 t, the lowest since 2005. The majority of the biomass is in the North bed.
- The biomass is currently predominated by a modal group of larger scallops (130 mm) in the North and South beds with a secondary mode of smaller recently-recruited scallops (90 mm ).
- Recruitment prospects are unknown.
- The reduction in biomass was mainly due to a dramatic reduction in the Middle bed after 2005. The Middle bed should be closed until a new recruitment pulse appears and contributes to the exploitable biomass.
- Meat quality in the larger-sized scallop in the North and South beds is expected to deteriorate and natural mortality to increase. Under this scenario the remaining exploitable biomass could be harvested.
This Science Advisory Report is from the Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat, Regional Advisory Meeting of February 28 – March 4 and March 7 – 11, 2011 on Snow Crab in NAFO Divisions 2HJ3KLNO, Subdivision 3Ps and Division 4R; Subdivision 3Ps Whelk and Sea Scallop. Additional publications from this process will be posted as they become available on the DFO Science Advisory Schedule.
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