Science Advisory Report 2016/027

2015 Stock Assessment of Scallop in Quebec Inshore Waters

Summary

• From 2013 to 2015, Quebec’s average annual scallop landings totalled 63 t of meat, a 10 percent decrease from 2010–2012. Also, fishing effort dropped by 11 percent from 2010–2012. Seventy-three percent of the landings were from the Magdalen Islands, 23 percent from the North Shore and 4 percent from the Gaspe Peninsula.

North Shore

• Landings decreased by 25 percent in comparison to 2010-2012, whereas fishing effort increased by 14 percent.
• From 2013 to 2015, there was no fishing effort in areas 16A1, 16A2, 16B, 16G, 16H, 16I and 18D and very little in areas 15, 16C, 16D and 18A. The status of the resource is therefore unknown in these areas.
• Since 2008, in Area 16E the fishery has been concentrated in bed D located south of Grande Île, where recruitment had been very good in previous years. Commercial catches per unit effort (CPUEs) in the last three years were below the 1992-2012 average and in the last two years were among the lowest in the historical series. The average weight of meat landed from 2013 to 2015 remains below the historical average. The last research survey (2014) indicated that the density of non-commercial-size scallops was above average and the highest value in the series, whereas the density of commercial sizes remained very low. Most indicators suggest that the exploitation rate is too high. It is therefore recommended that the average level of effort in the last three years not be exceeded and that fishing effort in bed D be reduced.
• In Area 16F, logbook CPUEs were very low from 2013 to 2015 and remain below the average of the historical series. The average weight of meat landed from 2013 to 2015 is near the historical average. The last research survey (2014) indicated that the density of commercial-size scallops was below the series average, whereas the density of non-commercial sizes was average and without trend since 2004. It is therefore recommended that the average level of effort in the last three years not be exceeded.

Gaspe Peninsula

• Scallop landings and fishing effort decreased by 52 percent and 57 percent respectively in 2013-2015 compared to 2010-2012.
• From 2013 to 2015, there was little if any fishing effort in areas 17A1, 17A2, 18B1, 18B2 and 18C. The status of the resource is therefore unknown in these areas.
• In Area 19A, landing and fishing effort values in 2015 were the lowest in the historical series. CPUEs have been low and stable since 2012. In the last two years, the fishery primarily exploited two beds. It is therefore recommended that fishing effort not be increased in these two beds.

Magdalen Islands

• In Area 20A, Sea Scallop landings increased significantly in 2007 and have since been stable. Fishing effort is evenly distributed within the beds.
• CPUEs increased significantly in 2007 and have been fairly stable since then, albeit below levels in the 1980s.
• The 2015 research survey indicated a post-2009 rise in the abundance trend of commercial-size (100 mm and over), pre-recruit (85 to 100 mm) and 70 to 85 mm scallop. Abundance nearly reached maximum values, which were well above the reference series average (1987-2008).
• Decision rules to calculate fishing effort have been in place since 2010. This effort is calculated using logbook CPUEs and research survey abundance indices. Fishing effort is to be reviewed annually after the indicators have been updated. The maximum fishing effort calculated for Area 20A in 2016 is 329 days at sea.
• In 2015, a research survey was conducted on the portion of the Dix-Milles bed located in Area 23. The areas inhabited by Sea Scallop and Iceland Scallop in Area 23 are 38.4 and 27.4 km² respectively. According to the analysis of observed scallop range and densities, the part of the bed located in Area 23 is an extension of the bed located in Area 20A. The Iceland Scallop bed is evenly split between both areas.

This Science Advisory Report is from the February 24, 2016 meeting on the Stock Assessment of Scallop in Quebec Inshore Waters. Additional publications from this meeting will be posted on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada Science Advisory Schedule as they become available.

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