Research Document - 2004/091

Estuary and Gulf of St.Lawrence shrimp (Pandalus borealis) stock status in 2003

By Savard, L., H. Bouchard

Abstract

In 2003, all the indicators of abundance and of biomass of shrimp available to the fishery as well as the indicator of success of the fishery were positive. However, the indicators of size of females available for reproduction and to the fishery remained negative.

The catch per unit of effort of the commercial fishery was higher than the 1990-1999 mean but the mean size of spawning females was still low. The research survey indices were very high, well above the 1990-1999 mean. The exploitation rate index decreased noticeably in all areas, reaching values lower than the 1990-1999 mean.

In 2004, the fishery will be sustained by the females of the abundant 1997 year class and, to a lesser extent, by those of the 1998 year class. Moreover, the 1999 year class (very abundant in 2003) should recruit to the female component in 2004. The mean size of spawning females is not likely to increase significantly in 2004.

Projections made for 2004 indicate that the abundance and biomass available to the fishery as well as the fishing success should be higher than what they have been since 2001. This positive change in the stock status justifies an adjustment of the TACs in order to take advantage of the high abundance of the 1997 and 1999 year classes, which will sustain the fishery in 2004 and 2005.

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