Science Advisory Report  2014/031

 Assessment of Scallops (Placopecten magellanicus) in Scallop Fishing Area (SFA) 29 West of Longitude 65°30′ W

Summary

• This scallop fishery has taken place in the portion of Scallop Fishing Area (SFA) 29 west of longitude 65°30′ W since 2001 and is currently conducted by two fleets: the Full Bay Fleet and a 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.
• In 2013, commercial densities observed from the survey were similar across habitat suitability categories within subareas A–D and either declines or no change were observed. For recruit densities observed from the survey, either declines or no change were observed for all habitat suitability categories in subareas A–D.
• From the survey, an increase in pre-recruits (20–60 mm) was observed in subareas A–D; however, the highest values are 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.
• 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. This map does not cover subarea E.
• 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.
• In 2013, it was estimated that 15,385 lobsters were caught during the SFA 29 West scallop fishery; 2,286 were dead or injured. The estimated number of lobster caught represents < 0.1% of the lobsters caught in the 2012/2013 Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 34 lobster fishery and 0.2% of the lobsters caught in the area of LFA 34 corresponding to SFA 29 West.

This Science Advisory Report is from the March 13, 2014, Assessment of SFA 29 West of 65°30′ W Scallop. Additional publications from this meeting will be posted on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science Advisory Schedule as they become available.

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