Research Document - 2010/016

An Assessment of Newfoundland and Labrador Snow Crab (Chionoecetes opilio) in 2008

By E. Dawe, D. Mullowney, D. Stansbury, E. Hynick, P. Veitch, J. Drew, W. Coffey, E. Colbourne, P. O'Keefe, D. Fiander, K. Skanes, R. Stead, D. Maddock-Parsons, P. Higdon, T. Paddle, B. Noseworthy, and S. Kelland

Abstract

Resource status was evaluated throughout NAFO (Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization) Div. 2HJ3KLNOP4R based on trends in biomass, recruitment and mortality. Multiple indices of these metrics were derived from a suite of data sources that include dockside-monitored landings, fisher logbooks, observer monitoring, pre-and post-season trawl surveys, broad-scale post-season trap surveys, localized inshore trap surveys, a vessel monitoring system (VMS), and biological sampling data from multiple sources. The resource was assessed separately for offshore and inshore areas of each NAFO Division, where appropriate (Div. 3KLP4R). Data availability varied among divisions and between inshore and offshore areas within divisions. Data were insufficient to evaluate resource status in Div. 3NO and in offshore Div. 4R.  The 1995-2008 fall post-season multi-species surveys in Div. 2J3KLNO indicate that the exploitable biomass was highest during 1996-98. The more limited time series (1999-2008) from spring multi-species surveys in Div. 3LNOP also indicated a decline in exploitable biomass in the early years of the surveys. The spring and fall surveys both showed decreases in the exploitable biomass indices from 2001 to 2003-04, with little change until the fall index increased in 2007. Recruitment has recently increased overall and prospects remain promising. The survey abundance and biomass indices of pre-recruits have been increasing since 2005 due to increases in the south (Div. 3LNOPs).Longer-term recruitment prospects are uncertain but the spring and fall surveys indicate that there has been a decline in abundance indices of smallest males (<60 mm CW) in recent years that may indicate reduced biomass in the long-term.  Trends in indices are described in detail for each division and conclusions are presented with respect to the anticipated effects of short term changes in removal levels on fishery induced mortality.

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