Science Advisory Report 2020/045

Development of a Monitoring Framework for the Potential Establishment of a Commercial Whelk (Buccinum undatum) Fishery in the Maritimes Region (4Vs, 4W)

Summary

• The Whelk Monitoring Document, provided by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to the fishers, is adequate for recording the majority of metrics that will be used when developing an assessment framework, particularly the spatial extent of the resource, total landings, and Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE).
• Moving forward, however, there is a need to ensure consistent reporting/recording of data on the Monitoring Document. It is particularly important to record effort and soak time for each string (a set of traps attached and deployed on a single line) to be able to accurately calculate CPUE.
• Measures of CPUE could provide an indicator of stock status; however, calculations did not account for soak time. This should be included when developing the CPUE indicator for an assessment framework. Abundance and biomass estimates would aid in the development of a future stock assessment model. A stratified dredge survey, such as that conducted in the Quebec Region, could provide a more accurate estimate of these parameters.
• Knowing that this species likely exhibits population structure over small spatial scales in 4Vs and 4W NAFO areas, and that whelk have a limited capacity for connectivity, a critical priority will be to continue to refine biologically appropriate management areas as information becomes available.
• More accurate differentiation between whelk species within the catch is necessary. Stimpson’s Whelk appear to constitute a low proportion of the catch; however, this should be verified. The spatial variability of Stimpson’s Whelk in the catch should also be determined.
• Determining temporal patterns of the reproductive cycle for whelk in this geographic region will not only provide a more appropriate temporal window when sampling for size- and age-at-maturity, but also identify periods when catches are likely to be minimized due to decreased feeding activities during reproduction.

This Science Advisory Report is from the February 19, 2020, Development of a Monitoring Framework for the establishment of a Commercial Whelk Fishery in the Maritimes Region (4Vs and 4W). Additional publications from this meeting will be posted on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science Advisory Schedule as they become available.

Science Advisory Report 2020/045 (PDF, 511 KB)

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