Science Advisory Report  2012/020

Stock status assessment of lobster on the North Shore (LFAs 15, 16 and 18) and at Anticosti Island (LFA 17), Quebec, in 2011

Summary

• Lobster landings on the North Shore in LFA 15 were 14 t in 2011, which represents a drop of 22% compared to 2008 and 44% compared to the average of the past 25 years. In LFA 16, landings have been stable since 2008 at about 6 t, which is less than 46% of the average of the past 25 years (11 t). However, information on landings may not be complete. Catches per unit effort remained relatively stable from 2008 to 2011. The fishing effort deployed was low and corresponds to only 13% of the effort permitted.
• At Anticosti Island, in LFA 17B, landings have risen since 2008, peaking (205 t) in 2010. They were 174 t in 2011, which is 11% greater than in 2008 and 48% above the average of the past 25 years. In 2011, catches per unit effort (CPUE) from logbooks were 32% greater than those in 2008.
• Few lobsters were measured over the past few years in LFAs 15 and 16, which makes it difficult to assess demographic indicators. In LFA 17B, lobster size structures have changed considerably in recent years, becoming more truncated. The smaller mean size suggests the arrival of recruitment. However, the sharp drop in the proportion of jumbos (≥ 127 mm carapace length, CL) suggests exploitation has increased. Mean and maximum sizes of females have also decreased since 2008, suggesting weaker egg production.
• Although abundance is currently high in LFA 17B, the demographic changes are not negligible. If these changes intensify in the future, the fishery will likely become increasingly dependent on annual recruitment. In addition, fishing pressure will increase on immature lobster, affecting the population's reproductive potential. Additional information would be necessary to better assess stock status on the Lower North Shore (LFAs 15 and 16).
• Lobster populations on the Lower North Shore and at Anticosti Island are characterized by slow growth and late sexual maturity, making them more vulnerable to over-harvesting. It is recommended that the minimum legal size be increased to be closer to the size at sexual maturity in order notably to minimize the impacts of increased fishing pressure in Area 17B.

This Science Advisory Report is from the February 1–2, 2012 regional peer review on the 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.

Complete document (PDF, 598 KB)

Accessibility Notice

This document is available in PDF format. If the document is not accessible to you, please contact the Secretariat to obtain another appropriate format, such as regular print, large print, Braille or audio version.