Atlantic Fisheries Research Document 1996/049
Abundance of Iceland scallops in NAFO Division 4R (Strait of Belle Isle) declines further in 1995
By K.S. Naidu; F.M. Cahill; E.M. Seward
Abstract
From its inception the Strait of Belle Isle Iceland scallop fishery has been characterized by four strong peaks in landings (1972-73, 1980-81, 1984-86 and 1992 to present). In the past, each pulse was followed by several consecutive years of poor catches. Nearly one quarter (5,383 t round or 24%) of all removals (22,581 t) from this fishery came from the past three years (199395). Nominal catch in each of the last four years has exceeded the overall 27-year average of 836 t. In 1993 and 1994, removals were well over twice the annual mean.
Using a better estimate of landings per unit effort (lb/tow) we now estimate a further 32% decline in 1995 from the 30% reduction already noted for between 1993 and 1994.
A research vessel survey in 1995, the first in eight years, showed that catch rates were low throughout. The stock now appears to be mostly composed of pockets of residual cohorts consisting primarily of large scallops. Scarcity of juveniles throughout the area surveyed (847 mi2) suggests that prospects for significant and extensive recruitment events in the short- to medium-term are poor.
Six scallop aggregations were identified. Cumulative minimum dredgeable biomass within these patches is estimated to be between 20002800 t ( = 2,400 t). However, scallop densities are low throughout. The stock has probably reached a level of abundance so low as to now require a rebuilding strategy.
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