Atlantic Fisheries Research Document 1996/099
Ecological factors to be considered in establishing a new krill fishery in the Maritimes Region
By G.C. Harding
Abstract
An attempt is made to try to consider all possible ecological side effects of establishing a new fishery for krill on the Scotian Shelf and environs. First, an estimate of abundance is attempted in the proposed fishing area from published estimates of krill densities and adult habitat preference. Then, the requested harvest and a calculated exploitation rate are presented. The issue of whether krill harvesting could remove a major food source from other commercial fisheries or other ecologically important species is considered. The same concern is introduced for planktivorous sea birds and certain endangered marine mammals. The issue of by-catch being a potential problem for a krill fishery also is considered. Finally, the Sheldon Size Spectrum Approach is used in an attempt to rationalize and evaluate undercutting the traditional cod-haddock-hake fishery of the region.
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