Research Document - 1999/067

Pandalus hypsinotus Humpback Shrimp: A Review of the Biology and a Recommended Assessment Framework for a Directed Fishery.

By J.A. Boutillier and H. Nguyen

Abstract

At the direction of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans any expansion of a fishery for humpback shrimp, Pandalus hypsinotus, into non-traditional areas or with new or modified trawl or trap gear will be subject to the Pacific Region Guidelines on New and Developing fisheries (Pacific guidelines). This paper provides the first step in tmeeting the principles outlined in the Pacific guidelines. The paper presents a review of what is known about the biology and the fishing history of these animals around the world. From this review the paper then goes on to suggest an appropriate assessment and management framework for the development of a directed fishery in British Columbia.

The important aspects of the biology that the assessment framework must address will include variable growth rates between areas, ability of the animals to produce primary females, and potential multiparous nature of these animals. The important aspects of the fisheries that need to be considered when developing a management framework include: 1) the inability to develop guidelines for escapement targets for these animals without a history of fishing and recruitment success and 2) the difficulties that all other nations have had with developing a sustainable fishery for this species.

The paper concluded that there was potential within B.C. coastal waters for targeted humpback shrimp fisheries. There were a number of suggestions on how this fishery may go forward under a precautionary framework. The key aspects to the precautionary framework included: removal of specific areas from the other trap and trawl shrimp fisheries; recommended target and limit reference points; and adoption of experimental management approach to address knowledge gaps e.g. assessment methodologies, appropriate exploitation levels, reproductive potential etc.

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