Science Advisory Report 2013/012

Assessment of Divisions 2G-3K (Shrimp Fishing Areas 4-6) Northern Shrimp

Summary

• Shrimp (Pandalus sp.) and Capelin (Mallotus villosus) are key forage species in Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Divisions (Div.) 2J3KL (SFAs 5, 6, and 7). Capelin abundance is at very low levels while some groundfish are increasing. Together this may increase predation pressure on shrimp.
• Resource status was updated based on a DFO fall multi‑species research vessel (RV) bottom trawl survey series (1996‑2012), which provided information on shrimp distribution, abundance, biomass, recruitment, and size in the Div. 2J portion of SFA 5 and Hawke Channel + Div. 3K (SFA 6). Trends in fishery performance were also inferred from fishery catch per unit effort (CPUE) and fishing patterns.
• The Northern Shrimp Research Foundation (NSRF) in partnership with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) conducted annual shrimp based research surveys in Div. 2G (SFA 4) during 2005‑12.
• The resource decreased from a peak in 2006 to near 1996 levels in the south (SFA 6); remained near average on the mid-Labrador Shelf (SFA 5) and increased in the north (SFA 4).

SFA 6 (Hawke Channel and NAFO Division 3K)

• Catch decreased from a peak of 81,000 t in 2007/2008 to 46,000 t in 2009/2010; remaining near 60,000 t since. It is expected that the 2012/2013 TAC of 60,245 t will be taken.
• The large vessel CPUE increased between 1989 and 1997 and oscillated at a high level until 2006/2007, thereafter it declined until 2009/2010 but has since been increasing. The small vessel CPUE showed a similar pattern.
• Fishable biomass index increased from 310,000 t in 1997 to a peak of nearly 670,000 t in 2006 then declined steeply to 295,000 t in 2010, increased to 409,000 t in 2011 before returning to 316,000 t by 2012.
• The trend in female spawning stock biomass (SSB) index reflected the trend in the fishable biomass index decreasing to 187,000 t in 2012, which is comparable to the beginning of the time series.
• Recruitment prospects are uncertain.
• Annual total mortality among age 4+ shrimp from RV surveys increased from approximately 34 % to 58 % since 2001. In the long term, the exploitation rate index has varied around 15 %. The exploitation rate decreased from 2004/2005 to 2009/2010 and increased in the following two years.
• Research survey SSB was assessed to be in the Cautious Zone, within the Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP) Precautionary Approach (PA) Framework, for the third time in the four most recent years. The 2012/2013 exploitation rate is expected to be about 15 %. If the 60,245 t Total Allowable Catch (TAC) is maintained through 2013/2014 and taken the exploitation rate will increase to 19 %; the third highest level in the time series.

SFA 5 (Hopedale and Cartwright Channels)

• Catches increased from about 15,000 t during 1997–2002 to around 23,000 t in more recent years.
• Catch per unit effort increased from 1992 to 2001 and has oscillated around this higher level since then.
• Fishable biomass index increased from around 90,000 t in 1996‑99 to 184,000 t in 2001. The index has been around 150,000 t from 2004 onward. The 2012 estimate is 147,000 t.
• Female SSB index increased from 40,000 t in the 1996‑99 period to 96,000 t in 2001 and has since decreased. The 2012 estimate is 63,000 t.
• Recruitment prospects are uncertain.
• Annual female total mortality oscillated between about 35‑75 % over the period 1998‑2011 averaging about 60 %.
• Exploitation rate has varied without trend around 15 % over most of the time series.
• Research survey SSB was assessed to be in the Healthy Zone within the IFMP PA Framework. The 2012/2013 exploitation rate is expected to be about 16 %. If the 23,300 t TAC is maintained through 2013/2014 and taken then the exploitation rate will remain at 16 %.

SFA 4 (NAFO Division 2G)

• Catches increased from approximately 10,000 t over the period 2005/2006 to 2011/2012 to approximately 13,000 t in 2012/2013.
• Fishable biomass index increased from 62,000 t in 2005 to 180,000 t by 2009, decreased to 127,000 t in the next year before increasing to 191,000 t in 2012. Similarly, the female SSB index increased from 35,000 t in 2005 to 140,000 t by 2009, decreased to 71,000 t in 2010 then increased to 110,000 t in 2012.
• Recruitment prospects are uncertain.
• Annual female total mortality oscillated between about 40‑50 % over the period 1999‑2008. There are no estimates available since then.
• Exploitation rate has been between 6 and 9 % since 2007/2008 and the current estimate is 7 %.
• Research survey SSB was assessed to be in the Healthy Zone, within the IFMP PA Framework, and it is anticipated that the 2012/2013 exploitation rate will be less than 10 %.

This Science Advisory Report is from the zonal advisory process meeting held 18‑26 February 2012 on the assessment of Northern and Striped Shrimp in SFAs 2‑6. Additional publications from this meeting will be posted on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science Advisory Schedule as they become available.

Complete document (PDF, 5,541 KB)

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.