Science Advisory Report  2010/015

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

Summary

Snow crab in management Areas 12, 19, 12E, and 12F 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 2009 landings in Area 12 were 20,896 t (quota of 20,900 t).
• The CPUE decreased since 2007 and is the lowest since 2002.
• The incidence of soft-shelled crab remained low at 5.0%, but locally, Chaleur Bay and 13 other grids were closed during the fishing season.

Area 19:

• The 2009 landings in Area 19 were 2,370 t (quota of 2,433 t).
• The CPUE in 2009 was within the range of values from previous years.
• The incidence of white-crab increased from 10.2% in 2008 to 13.2% in 2009 and all nine sectors within Area 19 were closed during the fishing season.

Area 12E:

• In Area 12E, the landings were 67 t, 33.5% of the 200 t quota.
• The CPUE decreased in 2009 to the lowest value of the time series (1995-2009).
• The incidence of soft-shelled crab in 2009 decreased to 7.8%. Two grids were closed during the fishing season.

Area 12F:

• In Area 12F, landings were 309 t representing 66.5% of the 465 t quota.
• The CPUE decreased in 2009 to the lowest value of the time series (1995-2009).
• The incidence of soft-shelled crab was 11.4%, the highest value since 2000, and eventually all three sectors were closed.

Stock status in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence

• The 2009 survey biomass of commercial-sized adult crabs was estimated at 26,100 t (23,400 t –29,000 t), 46% lower than in 2008.
• Fifty nine percent (59%) of the 2009 survey biomass, available for the 2010 fishery, is composed of new recruitment (15,500 t). The recruitment to the fishery decreased by 43% relative to 2008.
• The residual biomass (10,700 t) decreased by 48% compared to 2008, and is the second lowest value since 1989.
• The recruitment to the fishery is expected to remain low into 2011. An increase in the abundance of prerecruits (R-3 and R-4) was observed in 2009, which may indicate a potential upward phase in recruitment starting in 2012.
• The abundance of male and female instar VIII (34-44 mm CW) from 2006 to 2009 was 42% lower than that observed during the previous recruitment wave from 1995 to 1999.
• The abundance of mature females has declined since 1990 to the lowest levels during 2006 to 2009.
• The exploitation rate in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence in 2009 was 50%. Exploitation rate varied between 37% and 53% during 2000 to 2009 compared to between 15% and 31% during 1990 to 1999.
• A risk analysis of catch options relative to reference points for the 2010 fishery is provided. The catch options and associated risk levels (probability of the event happening) are decisions to be made by management and stakeholders.

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