Science Advisory Report 2012/013
Assessment of Quebec Coastal Waters Whelk Stocks in 2011
Summary
- In 2011, whelk landings totalled 1360 t in Quebec. A total of 68% of these landings were from the North Shore, 12% from the Gaspé Peninsula–Lower St. Lawrence and 20% from the Îles-de-la-Madeleine. Since 2006, landings have fluctuated between 1147 and 1587 t according to the variations in the fishing effort.
- Since 2006, catches per unit effort (CPUE) have increased in areas 5, 6 and 13, have been relatively stable in areas 1, 3, 4, 12 and 15, have dropped in areas 7 and 11, and have varied in areas 2 and 8. However, in areas 1, 3, 11 and 15, CPUEs were below their respective reference averages in 2011.
- Since 2006, mean sizes have been roughly stable in all areas. In 2011, the proportion of whelk measuring less than the legal limit in landings was less than 6% everywhere except in areas 2 (21%) and 8 (32%). The harvest of sexually immature individuals can also have negative impacts on the resource. It is therefore recommended that the minimum legal size be maintained in all areas.
- Stock status has been generally stable since 2006; this suggests that the current harvest rate is sustainable. We recommend directly controlling the fishing effort in all areas and limiting it to the average of the three highest values in the 2006–2011 series. If there is no fishing effort control, the rule stated above may be applied to landings. In the special case of areas 7 and 11 where the fishery is focused on only a small area, it would be better to explore and expand the fishing ground.
This Science Advisory Report is from the February 6, 2012, assessment of the whelk fishery in the Quebec’s inshore waters. Additional publications from this process will be posted as they become available on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada Science Advisory Schedule.
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