Research Document 1998/150

The Scotian Shelf Shrimp (Pandalus Borealis) Fishery in 1998

By P. Koeller, M. Cover, M. King, and S.J. Smith

Abstract

The survey abundance index in 1998 is the highest of the four year DFO-industry series. The increase during the last two years is mainly due to increases inshore, while the offshore strata have remained relatively stable. The standardised commercial CPUE series shows an increasing trend since 1993, in agreement with the overall survey estimate. During 1998 fishers took advantage of the high biomass and relatively large shrimp inshore by fishing this area heavily for the first time since the fishery began. Survey population estimates at length indicate that the 1994 year class is strong but that the 1995 and 1996 year classes are weaker. These potentially weak year classes are not due to decreased spawning stock abundance, which remains high. Catch composition has not changed since survey monitoring began in 1995, and exploitation rates remain low. Predators and temperatures remain low. Despite high inshore abundance, catch rates in the Chedebucto Bay trap fishery remained relatively low in 1997-98, suggesting continued interaction with snow crabs and/or unfavourable temperatures on the grounds. Trap catches started slowly in the 1998-99 season but increased in late October. This fishery is now 4 years old - experience gained during the experimental phase should be used to define management measures for a permanent inshore fishery. More licences are not indicated inside Chedebucto Bay since decreased catch rates were experienced when effort (licences) were increased in 1997. More exploratory fishing (licences) and gear development work is required outside the Bay in order to take advantage of the high inshore biomass. Three fishers were engaged in the Mahone Bay trap fishery during 1997-98, and catch rates remained high. Shrimp are not fully recruited to the survey gear until age 4+, consequently the existing survey design is not suitable for recruitment prediction. Survey design should be improved to provide recruitment prediction and more reliable assessment of year class strength. An increase in the overall TAC is recommended for 1999.

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