Science Advisory Report  2012/009

Assessment of the Stimpson’s surfclam stocks of Quebec coastal waters in 2011

Summary

• Quebec Stimpson’s surfclam landings totalled 842 t in 2011; 95% was from the North Shore and 5% from the Magdalen Islands.
• In 2011, catches per unit effort (CPUE) and mean sizes of surfclams landed were equal or above the time series medians. Throughout the area, fishermen are able to maintain good yields by moving over a same bed or from one bed to another.
• The estimated annual exploitation rates for 2009-2011 in each area, based on the swept area dredged, were on average below 3%, except for areas 4A (3.3%) and 4B (4.3%).
• The hydraulic dredge is extremely efficient and highly selective. There are few by-catches and dredges retain very few undersized surfclams.
• Guidelines have been established to recommend quota adjustments in each fishing area. A quota cannot be increased unless the quota has been reached consistently over the last three years and that CPUE and mean size indicators are equal or above the time series median. In addition, an increase is only possible if the exploitation rate in the area is below 3%. Based on the guidelines, only Area 1A meets all the conditions for recommending a quota increase of 6%. The status quo is recommended for all other areas.
• As a precautionary measure, portions of the bed with a high density of juveniles should be protected from harvesting due to the weak growth and sedentariness of this species.

This Science Advisory Report is from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat, Regional Advisory Meeting of February 9, 2012, on the Assessment of the Stimpson’s surfclam fishery in the Quebec inshore waters. Additional publications from this process will be posted as they become available on the DFO Science Advisory Schedule.

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