Science Advisory Report 2012/006
Assessment of Shrimp Stocks in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence in 2011
Summary
- In 2011, the TAC decreased by 5% relative to that of 2010 in all areas except in Estuary where it remained the same. The TAC was reached in all areas. The standardized catch rate from the fishery as similar to that of 2010 in Estuary while it decreased in Sept-Iles and increased in Anticosti and Esquiman. The survey biomass index decreased in Sept-Iles and Anticosti but increased in Estuary and Esquiman. The exploitation rate index increased in Sept-Iles and Anticosti and decreased in Estuary and Esquiman.
- The demographic structures show that the individuals likely to change sex during the 2012 winter, were very well represented in the 2011 fishery in the four areas as well as in Estuary and Esquiman survey catches. However, the recent year-classes (2008 and 2009) seemed to be average to low abundance everywhere, excepting the 2009 year-class which was very abundant in Esquiman.
- The main indicator of the stock status is calculated from the summer fishery and research survey indices. The main indicator show that the stocks were in the healthy zone in 2011. However, the stock status indicator increased by more than 40% in Estuary and Esquiman in 2011 relative to 2010 while it decreased by about 25% in Sept-Iles and Anticosti.
- Harvest guidelines were established according to the main indicator and its position in relation to the stock status classification zones (healthy, cautious and critical). These guidelines are compliant with a precautionary approach and could be used in the elaboration of decision rules to determine annual TACs.
This Science Advisory Report is from the Fisheries and Oceans Canada Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat regional advisory meeting of January 26, 2012 on Assessment of Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence Shrimp Stocks. Additional publications from this process will be posted as they become available on the DFO Science Advisory Schedule.
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