Science Advisory Report  2012/015

Assessment of Lobster Stocks of the Gaspé (LFAs 19, 20 and 21), Quebec in 2011

Summary

• The abundance indicators have increased since 2008. The 2011 landings were 15% higher compared to 2008, reaching 872 t, and 6% above the average of the past 25 years. In 2011, 92% of the landings in the Gaspé Peninsula came from LFA 20, 5% from LFA 21 and 3% from LFA 19. In LFA 20, catches per unit effort (CPUE) were higher than in 2008 and above the data series average. CPUEs in Area 19C fluctuate with no clear trend, but are still high.
• In LFA 20, the demographic indicators show that the average size of commercial lobster has changed little since 2008. The sex ratio is generally stable and balanced. Size structures are highly truncated and characterized by very few (< 1%) jumbo lobsters (≥ 127 mm carapace length, CL). In LFA 19C, the size structures are much broader and the proportion of jumbos has been near 6% since 2008. The average size of commercial lobsters in this area remains very high and stable. The sex ratio favours males.
• The fishing pressure indicators show that exploitation rates generally remained high in LFA 20. However, a drop in these rates was noted in some sub-areas where there was a noticeable decrease in fishing effort. Since 2004, fishing mortality for the portion of the population ≥ 76 mm CL has dropped as a result of the increase in the minimum legal size. The exploitation rate is much lower in LFA 19C than elsewhere in the Gaspé.
• Productivity indicators are high in LFA 20. The abundance of berried females, egg production and recruitment were higher in 2011 than in 2008. Prerecruit abundance was high in 2011, suggesting that recent landing levels could be maintained in 2012.
• In LFA 20, fishing effort has declined in recent years. The good performance of stock status indicators is probably attributable to the drop. Therefore, continuing to reduce the fishing effort to decrease exploitation rates and improve size structures, increasing the proportion of multiparous females and keeping the sex ratio balanced are all recommended. It appears important to define biological reference points for the development of a precautionary approach.
• Landings doubled in LFA 21A between 2008 and 2011. In LFA 21B, the combined catches from the fall fishery and the spring fishery of the following year have increased since 2006. It is recommended that fishing effort continue to be controlled in LFA 21B and that the minimum legal size be maintained at 82 mm.

This Science Advisory Report is from the February 1–2, 2012, assessment of the lobster 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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