Science Advisory Report  2013/055

Assessment of Scallops (Placopecten magellanicus) in Scallop Fishing Area (SFA) 29 West of Longitude 65°30'W

Summary

• This scallop fishery has taken place in the portion of Scallop Fishing Area (SFA) 29 west of longitude 65°30′ W since 2001 and is currently conducted by two fleets: the Full Bay Fleet and a limited number of inshore East of Baccaro licence holders.
• As of 2010, the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and landings are reported as totals by subarea for both fleets combined. In 2012, a total of 167.2 t was landed against the TAC of 160 t. There was an additional Food, Social and Ceremonial catch of 4.7 t. 
• From 2011 to 2012, catch rates declined or stayed the same in subareas A, C, D and E, but increased by over 40% in subarea B. 
• In 2012, there was an increase in the mean number of commercial scallops in the survey for subareas A, B, and D, and no change in C.  The number of recruit size scallops per tow increased in subareas A, B, and C, but did not change in D. Pre-recruits showed an increase in all subareas.  The mean weight per tow and survey biomass for commercial size scallops increased in subareas A to D from 2011 to 2012.
• Condition factors increased in subareas A to D, but the increase was less dramatic in subarea D. Some of the highest growth rates for SFA 29 West were observed in 2012, particularily in subarea B.
• Two methods were used to estimate exploitation rates in SFA 29 West: one from commercial catch rates (depletion model), representing more localized conditions, and one from the research survey (survey model), which represents broader conditions. Trends in annual total fishing effort (hours fished) were also presented since effort is directly related to fishing mortality.
• From 2011 to 2012, effort decreased in subareas A and D by 94 and 48%, respectively, while smaller decreases in effort were recorded for subareas B (10%) and C (12%). Exploitation estimates generally indicated a decrease in all subareas in 2012.
• A total TAC similar to that in 2012 is recommended. A reduction in TAC in subarea C would promote recovery of this area, and an increase in TAC in subarea B would be consistent with the observed increase in abundance and biomass in this area. 
• The estimated number of lobster caught represents 0.01% of the lobsters caught in the 2011/2012 Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 34 lobster fishery and 0.05% of the lobsters caught in the area of LFA 34 corresponding to SFA 29 West. In 2012, it is estimated that 4,302 lobsters were caught during the SFA 29 West scallop fishery; 940 were dead or injured.

This Science Advisory Report is from the March 12, 2013, Assessment of SFA 29 West of 65°30’ Scallop. Additional publications from this meeting will be posted on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science Advisory Schedule as they become available.

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