Science Advisory Report  2012/030

Assessment of the Estuary and Northern Gulf of St. Lawrence (Areas 13 to 17, 12A, 12B, 12C and 16A) Snow Crab Stocks in 2011

Summary

In 2011, most of the stocks in the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence had low or declining residual biomass and recruitment to the fishery increased (Areas 13, 14, 15, 16, 16A and 12C). This increase in recruits foreshadows a recruitment wave in this part of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Although recruitment is not increasing, stocks further south (12A, 12B and 17) showed an increase in commercial biomass in response to moderate catches in recent years.

In areas 17 and 12A, the decrease in TAC from 2006 to 2008 stabilized the commercial biomass, which then continued to recover gradually until 2011. In area 12B, moderate fishing pressure from 2005 to 2009 appeared to help increase the commercial biomass somewhat. In areas 16, 15, 14, 12C and 16A, a decrease in residual biomass was partially offset by an increase in recruits, which helped maintain the commercial biomass. There was also a recruitment wave in area 13 but, until now, there is little evidence of it in the legal portion of fishing catches or surveys.

The purpose of the notices is to maintain an adequate male reproductive biomass in order not to adversely affect the recovery or maintenance of the population in a given area. Recommendations assume that the natural mortality rate will be the same in 2012 as in previous years.

Recommendations

In Area 17, a TAC increase in the order of 10% in 2012 compared to 2011 should not result in an excessively high exploitation rate.

In Area 16, maintaining the 2012 catch at 2011 levels should reduce the exploitation rate and the fishery’s reliance on recruitment.

In Area 12A, a 40% increase in the 2012 catch over 2011 levels should not lead to an excessively high exploitation rate.

In Area 12B, an increase in 2012 catches not exceeding those recorded in 2011 by more than 20% should not cause a significant decrease in commercial biomass.

In areas 15, 14, 12C and 16A, maintaining 2012 catches at 2011 levels should preserve the commercial biomass.

In Area 13, catches not exceeding 150 t in 2012 would help stabilize the commercial biomass, which has decreased slightly since 2009.

This Science Advisory Report is from the February 7-8, 2012 Assessment of the Estuary and northern Gulf of St. Lawrence Snow Crab. 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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