Science Advisory Report 2021/042

Assessment of the Sea Cucumber fishery in Quebec’s inshore waters in 2020

Summary

• The sea cucumber drag fishery in Quebec began in 2008 and is still in the exploratory stage in management units 3, B and C and in the experimental stage along the Lower North Shore. Average annual landings during the 2017-2020 period totalled 1,085.7 tonnes (t), 57.4% of which came from the Gaspé Peninsula’s north shore and 42.6%, from the North Shore.
• The fishing effort seems to be generally well distributed in the various management units.
• Recent research confirms that the measurement of individual length and weight of sea cucumbers is strongly influenced by capture and handling conditions.

North Shore

Unit 3

• The authorized fishing effort increased from 100 to 120 fishing days in 2018. Average annual landings from 2017 to 2020 were 463 t, which is comparable to those in the period 2014-2016 (467 t). However, the fishing effort increased by 8.2% on average in 2017-2020 relative to 2014-2016, from 85 fishing days (2014-2016) to 94 fishing days (2017-2020).
• The mean CPUE in 2017-2020 (233 kg/h∙m) is comparable to that in 2009-2016 (240.4 kg/h∙m).
• The mean length of individuals measured at sea increased in 2018 (127 mm) relative to 2016 (108 mm) and has remained stable since then, but remains below the values recorded from 2009 to 2015 (137 mm on average).

Lower North Shore

• A total of four surveys were conducted from Kégaska to Blanc-Sablon in 2017 (two surveys), 2018 and 2020. The analysis of the survey data suggests that sea cucumbers along the Lower North Shore are low in density and small in size.

Gaspé Peninsula

• In 2015, management units B and C were divided into sub-units to improve the distribution of fishing effort. At the same time, the authorized range of depths that can be fished was modified from 22-40 m to 32-42 m, reducing the harvesting area, with TAC values lowered accordingly. 
• In management units AA, A and B, a small-scale dive fishery was carried out on a trial basis in 2017 and 2018, to depths of around 18 m. This activity was not continued in 2019 and 2020 due to profitability problems and technical issues with dive harvesting.

Unit B

• The TAC was reduced from 350 t in 2016 to 325 t in 2017. Annual landings in 2017-2020 averaged 300.1 t. Fishing effort has been increasing since 2016.
• The CPUE declined from 2017 to 2018 but has been rising since then, reaching 581 kg/h∙m  in 2020, which is slightly under the 2017 value (641 kg/h∙m).
• The mean length of individuals measured at sea in 2017-2019 was relatively stable (135 mm) and similar to that in 2016 (134 mm).

Unit C

• The TAC of 382 t in 2016 was reduced to 352 t in 2017 and to 271.8 t in 2020. Annual landings decreased from 421.6 t in 2017 to 259.3 t in 2020. The average fishing effort in 2017-2020 was 17.6% greater than in 2015-2016.
• The mean CPUE decreased between 2017 and 2020, and, at 183 kg/h∙m, was 9.2% less than in 2015-2016 (201 kg/h∙m).
• The mean length of individuals measured at sea was stable from 2017 to 2019 (average of 131 mm) and similar to that in 2015-2016 (137 mm).

Fishery independent surveys

• Research surveys were conducted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) in 2018. From 2016 to 2020, the Mi’gmaq Maliseet Aboriginal Fisheries Management Association (MMAFMA) carried out post-season surveys along the north shore of the Gaspé Peninsula.
• According to the DFO survey, sea cucumbers are more abundant at depths of less than 20 m all along the Gaspé Peninsula, but are smaller in size.
• The DFO survey also shows that average weight and density decrease from west to east. At the depths fished in units B and C (32-42 m), the average density was 184 individuals/1,000 m2 and 63 individuals/1,000 m2, and the average weight was 780 g and 667 g in the two units respectively.
• Overall, the surveys showed that sea cucumber density is higher in protected areas than in fishing areas in a given survey year.

Perspectives for the 2021 to 2023 fishing seasons

• In Unit 3, an annual fishing effort similar to that of 2017-2020 could maintain the fishery’s performance in the next three years. In addition, establishing one or more refuge areas is recommended.
• In units B and C, given the additional conservation measures implemented (protected areas and authorized range of depths for the fishery), maintaining landings near the average level for 2017-2020 should not have a major impact on sea cucumber abundance in these units in the next three years.

This Science Advisory Report is from the regional advisory meeting of June 1-2, 2021 on the Assessment of the sea cucumber fishery in Quebec’s Inshore Waters. Additional publications from this meeting will be posted on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science Advisory Schedule as they become available.

Science Advisory Report 2021/042 (PDF, 1,412 KB)

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