Research Document - 1999/173
Assessment of the scallop stock in Scallop Production Area 1, Bay of Fundy for the fall of 1999
By D. Roddick, R. Claytor, M.J. Lundy, M.A.E. Butler, and S.J. Smith
Abstract
Starting on 1 January 1997, the Bay of Fundy scallop fishery was divided into Scallop Production Areas (SPA's) for management considerations. This move was made in response to declining catches and concerns over the long term viability of the scallop fishery. SPA 1 is the largest SPA in the Bay of Fundy, and is accessible, at least in part, to all Bay of Fundy scallop license holders. This assessment examines survey data, logbook data, and the Full Bay fleet port sampling data.
Survey biomass estimates and commercial catch rates declined from the historic peak in 1988/89, to the lowest levels in either time series in 1997. Since that time they have improved slightly, but are still at low levels. At the present level of effort the removals from the stock in the traditional Digby and Cape Spencer areas appear to be less than growth and recruitment, allowing for a slight increase in the population. The outlook is for a stable but low scallop abundance in this area, as long as fishing effort remains at present levels.
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