Atlantic Fisheries Research Document 1996/010

Results from the experimental shrimp trap fishery in 1995

By P. Koeller

Abstract

The area of greatest potential for development of an inshore shrimp trap fishery in Nova Scotia is between Whitehead and Scaterie Island. Areas along the eastern shore south of Whitehead have little potential for trapping commercial quantities of shrimp because they lack appreciable shrimp concentrations offshore and large areas of mud bottom and relatively deep water nearshore. In Northern Cape Breton the sandier subtrate is less than optimum shrimp habitat, and the presence of strong bottom currents and shifting substrate may be an additional factor excluding shrimp. Further operations should be restricted to small exploratory efforts of 10-15 traps per location during the fall-winter period when catches are highest. Catches exhibit a seasonal cycle associated with migrations from and to the inshore in response to changing water temperatures. Interactions with snow crabs on and around traps also affect catches. Current management measures for the experimental trap fishery includes trap limits and limited entry. An accurate biomass estimate for the inshore areas is required before additional management measures can be defined. A decrease in the percentage of berried females was noted from 1995 to 1996. This should continue to be monitored in order to determine if it is due to natural variations or to fishing. A snow crab exclusion device should be developed to improve trap efficiency and for conservation purposes. Trap efficiency is highly dependent on trap entrance and bait location.

Complete document (PDF, 560 KB)

Accessibility Notice

This document is available in PDF format. If the document is not accessible to you, please contact the Secretariat to obtain another appropriate format, such as regular print, large print, Braille or audio version.