Research Document - 2014/081
Update on trends in the biomass, distribution and size composition of snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) in the September multi-species bottom trawl survey of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, 1980-2013
By H.P. Benoît
Abstract
The research vessel bottom-trawl survey of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence undertaken each September (RV survey) has been shown to provide reliable standardized indices of biomass, spatial distribution and habitat use of commercial male snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) for 2001-present and of all snow crab (aggregated index) for 1980-present. This document provides an update for biomass indices, spatial distribution and size composition based on the results of the 2013 RV survey. This information is provided in support of the 2014 regional snow crab assessment process that took place in Moncton, NB on January 29-31. Of particular note, the RV survey confirms a continued high biomass of commercial-sized adult male snow crab also observed in 2011, 2012 and 2013 in a dedicated snow crab survey. The 2013 RV survey also captured an unusually high number of small crabs (≤15 mm) in several areas of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, a phenomenon that was even more pronounced than in 2012. These crabs may represent a very early signal of strong incoming recruitment that will hopefully be tracked over the coming years.
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: