Research Document 1998/41

Update on the status of NAFO Subarea 3-6 porbeagle shark (Lamna nasus)

By R. O'Boyle, M. Fowler, P. Hurley, and M. Showell

Abstract

The fishery in the Northwest Atlantic started in 1961 when Norway and Faroe Islands reported landing 1924t. Landings reached 9283t in 1964 and the resource appeared to have collapsed by 1967. The Faroe Islands reported annual landings of about 350t during the 1970s-1980s, which appeared sustainable. Canada started directing for porbeagle in 1991. Landings rose to 1,925t by 1992 and dropped to 1425t in 1993 when the Faroese fleet left the fishery. Landings were 1054t and 1338t in 1996 and 1997 against quotas of 1500t and 1000t respectively. Porbeagle has a relatively low pup production rate and is consequently very sensitive to over-exploitation. Since 1991, landings have averaged about 1500t annually. There is some evidence of declines in spring catch rates in recent years which suggests that abundance may have declined. Given uncertainties in our knowledge of the resource, it would not be prudent to harvest above the 1997 TAC of 1000t until the observed declines in catch rates can be explained. Further, while a 1000t TAC in 1998 would represent a reduction in catch, it is uncertain if this reduction would be sufficient to arrest the decline in population abundance suggested by the decline in catch rates.

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