Science Advisory Report  2015/035

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 number of inshore East of Baccaro licence holders who are eligible to fish in SFA 29 West.
• A new framework assessment methodology was accepted in February 2014 that uses a habitat-based population model for subareas A–D. The model is based on a scallop habitat map. This map does not cover subarea E.
• A science update was originally scheduled for SFA 29 West in 2015; however, due to observations from the science survey in 2014 that the extremely strong year class which prompted the closure of subareas C and D in 2014 was very much diminished, a full assessment was triggered.
• As of 2010, the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and landings are reported as totals by subarea for both fleets combined. In 2014, subareas A, B, and E were open and a total of 128.4 t was landed against the TAC of 135 t. There was an additional Food, Social and Ceremonial catch of 5.3 t. Subareas C and D were closed to fishing in 2014 to protect high abundances of juvenile scallops.
• From the survey, in 2014, commercial densities were generally similar across habitat suitability categories within subareas and were low compared with earlier in the time series. The number of recruit size scallops was also relatively low across habitat categories across subareas.
• In 2013, pre-recruit abundance observed was the highest in the time series, and subareas C and D were closed to protect this strong year class. However, this year class was not observed in subareas A, B, and C during the 2014 survey despite additional tows repeating those conducted in 2013 in areas where high pre-recruit abundances were found. In subarea D, this strong year class had the highest survival across subareas and these animals are now approximately 50–80 mm. A new year class approximately 20–40 mm shell height was also observed in 2014 in subareas C and D. Overall pre-recruit abundance in subareas C and D is near the highest of the time series, whereas pre-recruit levels decreased to near the lowest of the time series in subareas A and B across habitat categories.
• In 2014, it was estimated that 9,304 lobsters were caught during the SFA 29 West scallop fishery, including 2,374 dead or injured. The estimated number of lobster caught represents < 0.02% of the lobsters caught in the 2013/2014 Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 34 lobster fishery and < 0.1% of the lobsters caught in the area of LFA 34 corresponding to SFA 29 West.
• Catch scenario tables are presented for subareas A–D. For subarea A, biomass declines are predicted even if no catch is taken in 2015. For subareas B, C, and D, overall catches of up to 39 t, up to 27 t, and up to 51 t, respectively, have a ≥ 50% probability of biomass increases in the High habitat suitability categories; however, biomass densities across habitat categories in subareas B–D are currently near the lowest of the time series.
• For subarea E, catch rates remained relatively stable from 2013 to 2014 at approximately 23 kg h -1; however, survey numbers per tow decreased for commercial and recruit size scallops and very few pre-recruit size scallops were observed.

This Science Advisory Report is from the March 24, 2015, Assessment of SFA 29 West of 65°30′W 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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