Research Document - 2002/013

The 2001 assessment of Snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) stock in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (Areas 12, Eand F)

By M. Hébert, E. Wade, T. Surette, and M. Moriyasu

Abstract

The 2001 assessment of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence snow crab, Chionoecetes opilio, stock (Areas 12, E and F) was done based on data from the commercial fishery (fishermen's logbooks, at-sea observer's measurements, purchase slips from processing plants and quota monitoring reports) and trawl survey. The 2001 landings in Area 12 were 13,819 t (quota of 13,819 t) with an average catch per unit of effort (CPUE) of 42.3 kg/trap haul and a total fishing effort of 326,382 trap hauls. CPUE increased by 23 % and the percentage of soft-shelled crab decreased to 6.2 % from 12.5 % in 2000. The 2001 landings for exploratory Areas E and F were 155 and 378 t, respectively. The CPUE was 23.2 kg/trap haul in Area E and 63.0 kg/trap haul in Area F. Fishing effort was estimated at 6,700 trap hauls in Area E and 5,736 trap hauls in Area F.

The 2001 trawl survey indicated an increase in the commercial biomass (B) index in Area 12 to 36,057 t ± 7,356 t. The recruitment to the fishery (25,268 t ± 5,938 t) represents 70 % of the biomass index. The high abundance of pre-recruits (R-3 and R-2) observed in the 2001 trawl survey could increase the level of recruitment to the fishery for the next 3 or 4 years. A 2002 quota ranging between 25 and 60 % increase over last year's quota (13,819 t) would be unlikely to have any significant short term impact on the reproductive potential of the stock. However, an exploitation strategy reflecting a 60% increase over last year's quota could increase the incidence of soft-shelled crabs in the catches, resulting in an increase mortality of these crabs in the short term. A close in-season monitoring is necessary to protect the future recruitment to the fishery.

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