Science Advisory Report  2009/043

An Assessment of the Iceland Scallop (Chlamys islandica) Resource in the Strait of Belle Isle and the Lilly Carson Canyons

Summary

NAFO Division 4R (Strait of Belle Isle)

• The fishery started in 1969 and peaked in 1972, 1985, and 1994 at ~ 2500 t each year. Removals have averaged less than 400 t since 2000 although the annual TAC has been 1000 t.
• The latest DFO research survey was completed in September 2007, the first since 2000. The minimum dredgeable biomass has shown no clear trend since 1995 and was estimated at 5700 t in 2007.
• A refugium was established in 2000 in hopes of promoting survival of newly settled scallops.
• Although the biomass has always been higher north of the refugium, the fishery has been concentrated south of the refugium since 1995.
• The refugium:
  • For the 5 surveys from 1995 to 2007, shell height has been larger inside the refugium than outside.
  • There was no difference in density (mean number/tow) between inside and outside of the refugium.
  • Natural mortality estimates were higher inside than outside in 2007.
  • Density of predatory starfish was greater inside than outside in 2007.

NAFO Division 3N (Lilly Carson Canyons)

• The fishery in LCC started in 1994 with removals of 4200 t. There have been little to no removals each year since 1999.
• The latest DFO research survey was completed in September 2008, the first since 2002. The minimum dredgeable biomass has shown no clear trend since 1995 and was estimated at 7500 t in 2008.
• The natural mortality estimate for Iceland scallop has increased from 0.20 in 1997 to 0.56 in 2008.
• The biomass estimate of the predatory starfish (Leptasterias polaris) has increased from 10,300 t in 1997 to 35,800 t in 2008.

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