Science Advisory Report 2021/014

Assessment of Northern Shrimp (Pandalus borealis) and Striped Shrimp (Pandalus montagui) in the Eastern and Western Assessment Zones, February 2021

Summary

• The assessment includes the 2019 and 2020 survey and fishery data.
• It is recognized that the population of Pandalus montagui spans the area of the Eastern and Western Assessment Zones (EAZ, WAZ) and Shrimp Fishing Area (SFA) 4. Currently it is not known what the rates of exchange (export/import) are between these zones, therefore, understanding resource dynamics as a whole requires integrating information from all assessment areas.
• It is recognized that P. borealis are distributed broadly over the Northwest Atlantic Ocean, including the EAZ and WAZ, and that these areas are connected through larval dispersal, but rates of exchange of adults are less understood. These linkages need to be considered to interpret dynamics within and among assessment areas.
• In the EAZ the stocks are currently assessed with updated Limit Reference Points (LRPs) relevant to a Precautionary Approach (PA) Framework. Updated Upper Stock Reference points (USRs) are currently being considered.
• In the WAZ the stocks are currently assessed with the LRPs (established de novo in 2020). USRs are currently being considered.

Eastern Assessment Zone – Pandalus borealis

• Total catch varied without trend around 6,000 t from 1997 through 2020/21. Catch statistics in 2020/21 are preliminary.
• The fishable biomass index was above the long term mean (63,486 t) and was 86,211 t in 2020.
• The female spawning stock biomass index^{Footnote 1} (SSB) was above the long term mean (39,659 t) and was 60,531 t in 2020.
• The reported exploitation rate index for 2020/21 was 5.9% with 48% of the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) taken. Based on the 2020/21 TAC of 10,653 t, the potential exploitation rate index was 12.5%.
• Pandalus borealis stock in the EAZ is currently well above the established LRP. Although there is currently no established USR, the stock is considered to be in a healthy state.

Eastern Assessment Zone – Pandalus montagui

• Total catch in 2020/21 was 267 t, 32% of the 840 t TAC. Catch statistics in 2020/21 are preliminary.
• The fishable biomass index is subject to considerable interannual variability potentially associated with resource distribution. Since 2017, it has generally been above the long term mean (14,076 t) and was 18,803 t in 2020. Fluctuations in fishable biomass may also differ across adjacent assessment areas within the same year for this stock.
• The female spawning stock biomass (SSB) index was above the long term mean (9,675 t) and was 14,437 t in 2020.
• The reported exploitation rate index for 2020/21 was 1.3% with 32% of the TAC taken. Based on the 2020/21 TAC of 840 t, the potential exploitation rate index was 4.5%.
• Pandalus montagui stock in the EAZ is currently well above the established LRP. Although there is currently no established USR and the stock biomass index is subject to considerable interannual variability, the stock is considered to be in a healthy state.

Western Assessment Zone – Pandalus borealis

• Total catch in 2020/21 was 625 t, which is 20% of the 3,163 t TAC. Catch statistics in 2020/21 are preliminary.
• The fishable biomass index in 2020 remained above the long term mean (19,219 t) and was 32,835 t.
• The female SSB index in 2020 remained above the long term mean (10,830 t) and was 17,555 t.
• The reported exploitation rate index for 2020/21 was 1.9% with 20% of the TAC taken. Based on the 2020/21 TAC of 3,163 t, the potential exploitation rate index was 9.6%.
• Pandalus borealis stock in the WAZ is currently well above the established LRP. Although there is currently no established USR, the stock is considered to be in a healthy state.

Western Assessment Zone – Pandalus montagui

• Total catch in 2020/21 was 3,917 t, which is 33% of the 11,975 t TAC. Catch statistics in 2020/21 are preliminary.
• Movement across management areas is suspected to contribute to interannual variability in the fishable biomass index. It was below the long term mean (56,609 t) and was 50,911 t in 2020.
• The SSB index was below the long term mean (31,640 t) and was 26,811 t in 2020.
• The reported exploitation rate index for 2020/21 was 7.7% with 33% of the TAC taken. Based on the 2020/21 TAC of 11,975 t, the potential exploitation rate index was 23.5%.
• Although there is currently no established USR for Pandalus montagui stock in the WAZ, the stock is above the established LRP relevant to a PA Framework.

This Science Advisory Report is from the February 22–26, 2021 Zonal Advisory Meeting on the Assessment of Northern Shrimp in SFAs 4-6, EAZ & WAZ and of Striped Shrimp in SFA 4, EAZ & WAZ. 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 2021/014 (PDF, 899 KB)

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