Research Document - 2014/016
Scallop Production Areas in the Bay of Fundy: Stock Status for 2013 and Forecast for 2014
By L. Nasmith, B. Hubley, S.J. Smith, and A. Glass
Abstract
This research document reviews the status of scallop stocks in Scallop Production Areas (SPAs) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 (Bay of Fundy and Approaches) for 2012/2013 with advice for 2013/2014. The Bay of Fundy is fished by three separate scallop fishing fleets: Full Bay, Mid Bay, and Upper Bay. The Full Bay fleet fishing season is from 1 October to 30 September, while the Mid and Upper Bay fleet season is from 1 January to 31 December.
In this assessment, the temporal patterns in condition and stock composition are used to calculate overall growth parameters for use in population models. Changes were made to the models in the 2013 assessment to include survey variance. Potential reference points were also developed and are presented in this document.
The Full Bay fleet caught 206 t against a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of 200 t in SPA 1A in 2012/2013. Condition in this area increased, and survey biomass increased. Population biomass estimated by the model was 1,607 t (meats) in 2013, up from the estimate of 1,231 t for 2012, which was approximately equal to the median (1997 to 2011) biomass of 1,206 t. A catch of 300 t for 2013/2014 should correspond to the reference exploitation rate and is projected to result in no change in biomass for 2014.
The Full Bay fleet caught 202.8 t against a TAC of 190.315 t in SPA 1B in 2012/2013. The Mid Bay fleet caught 162.7 t against a TAC of 133.95 t, and Upper Bay fleet caught 57.4 t against a TAC of 50.735 t. Catch rates increased for all fleets, doubling in some areas. Population biomass estimated by the model was 2,635 t (meats) in 2013, a substantial increase from the estimate of 1,757 t for 2012 and well above the median biomass of 1,798 t. A catch of 500 t for 2012/2013 should correspond to the reference exploitation rate (0.15) and is projected to result in a 9.4% increase in biomass.
The Full Bay fleet caught 261 t against a TAC of 260 t in 2012/2013. Catch rates in St. Mary’s Bay increased from 2011/2012, and did not change in Brier/Lurcher. Population biomass estimated by the model was 1,606 t (meats) in 2013, an increase from the estimate of 1,195 t for 2012 and well above the long-term median biomass of 1,008 t. A catch of 300 t for 2012/2013 should correspond to the reference exploitation rate (0.15) and is projected to result in a 7.2% increase in biomass.
The Full Bay fleet caught a total of 119.4 t against a TAC of 110 t in SPA 4 in 2012/2013. Catch rates in this area increased in 2013 and are above the long-term median. Recruitment in this area is low, essentially unchanged from 2012. Population biomass estimated by the model was 1,041 t (meats) in 2013, an increase of 33% from the estimate of 782 t in 2012, despite below average recruitment in 2012. A catch of 160 t for 2012/2013 should correspond to the reference exploitation rate (0.15) and is projected to result in a 13.7% decrease in biomass.
In SPA 5, landings were 5.7 t against a TAC of 10 t. Catch rates increased and are just above the long-term median. The annual survey was discontinued in this area as of 2009 and prospects of future recruitment events are unknown.
A total of 125.6 t was caught in SPA 6 against at TAC of 140 t. Full Bay fleet caught 8.1 t of their 21 t TAC, and Mid Bay fleet caught 117.5 t of their 119 t TAC. These values are from Quota Monitoring and do not match values obtained by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science Branch scallop staff through a close examination and validation of available logbooks. Based on those values, Full Bay catch is 7.4 t and the Mid Bay catch is 115.8 t. The evidence suggests that the stock in SPA 6 is in equilibrium for the current level of exploitation. If a change in TAC is being contemplated for the 2014 season then further discussions with the Full and Mid Bay fleets on TAC options will need to take place before the season opens.
Accessibility Notice
This document is available in PDF format. If the document is not accessible to you, please contact the Secretariat to obtain another appropriate format, such as regular print, large print, Braille or audio version.
- Date modified: