Science Advisory Report 2009/034

Assessment of Jonah Crab in
Lobster Fishing Area 41 (4X + 5Zc)

Summary

• The Jonah crab fishery began in 1995, and the 720t TAC was caught or nearly caught between the 1996-1997 and 2000-2001 seasons. Landings then declined sharply with 14t landed in 2007. At present there is no directed fishery.
• The abundance indicators suggest that Jonah crab abundance in LFA 41 (4X + 5Zc) has declined since the fishery began in 1995.
• The cause of the decline in Jonah crab abundance cannot be given with certainty, but the decline detected in the areas fished suggests it is due to fishing down of the biomass present at the start of the fishery.
• There is insufficient information to evaluate production or recruitment trends for Jonah crab in LFA 41 (4X + 5Zc).
• The TAC of 720t set in 1995 (not science-based) does not appear to have been sustainable.
• Abundance indices from DFO Research Vessel bottom trawl surveys will be used to monitor the recovery of Jonah crab in LFA 41 (4X + 5Zc). Other information sources, including bycatch in the offshore lobster fishery and water temperature over the shelf, may also be used to monitor LFA 41 (4X + 5Zc) Jonah crab abundance in the future. 

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