Research Document - 2014/064

Scallop Fishing Area 29: Stock status and update for 2014

By Jessica A. Sameoto, Stephen J. Smith, Amy Glass, Brad Hubley, and Cheryl Denton

Abstract

This scallop fishery has taken place in the portion of Scallop Fishing Area (SFA) 29 west of longitude 65º30’W since 2001 and is currently fished by two fleets: the Full Bay Fleet and limited number of inshore East of Baccaro licence holders. As of 2010, the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and landings are reported as totals by subarea for both fleets combined. In 2013, a total of 154.4 t was landed against the TAC of 170 t. There was an additional Food, Social and Ceremonial catch of 4.9 t. A new framework assessment methodology was accepted in February 2014 that uses a habitat-based population model for subareas A–D. The model is based on a scallop habitat map and this map does not cover subarea E.

From the survey in 2013, commercial densities were similar across habitat suitability categories within subareas A–D and either declines or no change were observed. For recruit densities, either declines or no change were observed for all habitat suitability categories in subareas A–D. An increase in pre-recruits (20–60 mm) was observed in subareas A–D; however, the highest values were mainly concentrated in subareas C and D. These pre-recruit numbers are the highest observed in the time series and, based on growth estimates, are not expected to recruit to the fishery until 2016.

Current densities (2 to 2.3 t/km² in the High habitat category, 1.5 to 1.8 t/km² in the Medium habitat category) appear to represent an approximate equilibrium level with respect to recent exploitation and recruitment rates. In the absence of increases in the rate of recruitment, continued fishing at the recent levels in the Medium and High suitability areas will likely result in densities remaining in the ranges that they have been since 2006. Assuming the same catch in 2014 as in 2013, and that the same fishing pattern with respect to habitat suitability areas occurs in 2014, current levels of exploitation will probably result in little change in biomass in 2014. However, densities in the High and Medium habitat categories are currently at or near their lowest values in the time series.

Complete document (PDF, 6,389 KB)

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.