Research Document - 2009/062
Northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) off Labrador and northeastern Newfoundland as of March 2008
By D. Orr, P.J. Veitch, K. Skanes, and D.J. Sullivan
Abstract
Updates of northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) assessments were performed for NAFO Div. 2G, Hopedale + Cartwright Channels as well as Hawke Channel + Div. 3K, which correspond to shrimp fishing areas (SFA) 4, 5 and 6, respectively. Status of the resource in each area was inferred, in part, by examining trends in commercial catch, effort, catch-per-unit effort, fishing pattern and size/sex/age composition of the catches. Fisheries independent data include an autumn multispecies research bottom trawl survey into SFA’s 5 and 6 (1996 – 2007). The Northern Shrimp Research Foundation, in partnership with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, conducted a shrimp based research survey into Div. 2G (SFA 4) during each of the past three summers (2005–07). Surveys in SFA’s 4-6 provide information on distribution, abundance, biomass, size/ sex composition and age structure of shrimp.
Catches increased from 22,000 t in 1994 to over 110,000 t by 2004-05 due mainly to increases in Total Allowable Catch (TAC). The TAC for the 2007-08 management year was set at 114,426t and catches for that year equaled 114,000 t. Please note that due to a pilot bridging program that began in 2007, offshore licence holders may elect to fish up to 250 t of their total combined 2008-09 EAs in the period March 1-30 of 2008, or elect to fish up to 250 t of their 2007-08 EAs in the period April 1-30, 2009. Therefore it is possible for the total catch to exceed the TAC for any one year.
Annual catches within SFA 6 increased from 11,000 t during 1994-96 to 78,000 t by 2004-05. The TAC for the 2007-08 management year was set at 80,305 t (this TAC includes quota transfers and bridging). Catches for the 2007-08 management year equaled 80,733 t.
Spatial distribution of the SFA 6 fishery expanded between the mid 90’s and 2000 increasing slightly thereafter. The 2007 large (>500 t) vessel Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) remained at a high level, while the small vessel (<=500 t; LOA<=100’) CPUE increased significantly since 2003. Biomass and abundance indices from autumn multi-species surveys have generally increased since 1997. Recruitment indices in 2006 and 2007 (04 and 05 year-classes) were the highest in the time series. Female spawning stock indices increased from 181,700 t in 1997 to 462,500 t in 2006, remaining at a high level in 2007. The resource continues to be distributed over a broad area and exploitation rates have remained low with recent catches having no observable impact upon shrimp abundance and biomass.
Catches within SFA 5 (Hopedale + Cartwright Channels) increased from 7500 t in 1994‑96 to 23,000 t in 2004-05 and 2006-07. In 2007-08 catches were 23,768 t against a TAC of 23,805 t. Since 1996, CPUE has fluctuated above the long-term average. Biomass and abundance indices after 2000 have been somewhat higher than before 2000. Recruitment in the short-term, while uncertain, appears average. Longer term prospects are unknown. The resource continues to be distributed over a broad area and the exploitation rate index remains low. Recent catches have had no observable impact on shrimp abundance and biomass.
Catches within SFA 4 increased from 4000 t in 1994 to 9,600 t by 2004-05. Approximately 10,200 t of shrimp were caught against a 10,348 t TAC during 2007-08. Since 2002, fishery catch rates have varied about the long-term average. The fishable biomass index ranged between 66,000 t and 111,000 t since 2005.
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