Science Advisory Report 2009/006

Assessment of snow crab in the southern gulf
of St. Lawrence (areas 12, 19, E and F)

Summary

• Snow crab in management Areas 12, 19, E, and F comprise a single biological population and the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence stock is considered as one unit for assessment purposes.

Fishery

Area 12:

• The 2008 landings in Area 12 were 20,911 t (quota of 20,900 t).
• The CPUE decreased from 2007 but has remained high since 2003.
• The incidence of soft-shelled crab remained low at 3.0%.

Area 19:

• The 2008 landings in Area 19 were 2,929 t (quota of 3,002 t).
• The CPUE in 2008 was within the range of values from previous years.
• The incidence of white-crab in 2008 increased from 8.3% to 10.2%.
• All four sectors within Area 19 were closed during the fishing season due to high incidence of white-crab.

Area E:

• In Area E, the landings were 187 t, 47% of the 400 t quota.
• The CPUE decreased in 2008 to the lowest value of the time series (1995-2008)
• The incidence of soft-shelled crab in 2008 increased to 10.1%, the highest value since 2000.

Area F:

• In Area F, landings were 431 t representing 74% of the 585 t quota.
• The CPUE decreased in 2008 to the second lowest value of the time series (1995-2008).
• The incidence of soft-shelled crab increased to 7.3%, the highest value since 2000.

Stock status in the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence

• The 2008 survey biomass of commercial-sized adult crabs was estimated at 48,000 t (43,800 t – 52,400 t), 16% lower than in 2007.
• Fifty six percent (56%) of the 2008 survey biomass, available for the 2009 fishery, is composed of new recruitment (27,100 t). The recruitment to the fishery decreased by 13% relative to 2007.
• The residual biomass (20,700 t) decreased by 20% compared to 2007 but it has been maintained at 20,000 to 26,000 t since 2003.
• The recruitment to the fishery is expected to remain low into 2010. An increase in the abundance of prerecruits (R-4) was observed in 2008, which may indicate a potential upward phase in recruitment starting in 2011.
• The abundance of males smaller than 56 mm CW observed in the trawl surveys from 2002 to 2008 has increased but is lower than the previous recruitment waves observed from 1993 to 1998.
• The abundance of mature females has declined since 1990 and reached the lowest observed level in 2006 to 2008.
• The exploitation rate in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence in 2008, corrected for non-directed fishing losses, was 50%. Exploitation rates varied between 41% and 62% during 2000 to 2008 compared to 17% and 33% during 1990 to 1999.
• A risk analysis of consequences to biomass indicators relative to catch options for the 2009 fishery is provided. The choice of biomass indicator to use and the risk level (probability of the event happening) to apply are the decision of management and the stakeholders.

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