Research Document - 2016/021
Scallop Production Areas in the Bay of Fundy: Stock Status for 2015 and Forecast for 2016
By L. Nasmith, J.A. Sameoto, and A. Glass
Abstract
This document reviews the status of scallop stocks in Scallop Production Areas (SPAs) 1A, 1B, and 3 to 6 (Bay of Fundy and Approaches) for 2014/2015 with advice for 2015/2016. The Bay of Fundy is fished by three separate scallop fishing fleets: Full Bay, Mid Bay, and Upper Bay.
Models used in this assessment have been reviewed and changes have been documented and reviewed. In 2015, the method of modelling meat weight-shell height (i.e., condition) changed, recruitment estimates for SPAs 1B, 3 and 6 were improved, and SPA 6 was modelled for the first time using the Bay of Fundy stock assessment model.
In SPA 1A, landings were 361.55 t against a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of 350 t during the 2015 fishing year. Commercial catch rate in this area in 2015 was the highest in over a decade. Survey indices in this area showed an increase in commercial number and weight per tow in most subareas, and a decline in recruit number and weight per tow in all subareas. Population biomass estimated by the model was 3,790 t (meats) in 2015, an increase of 54% from the estimate of 2,462 t in 2014. This stock is currently in the healthy zone.
In SPA 1B, landings were 546.2 t against a TAC of 550 t during the 2015 fishing year. Catch rates for Full Bay in the SPA 1B subareas has been similar over the past few years. Catch rates for Mid Bay were variable among subareas, and Upper Bay fleet catch rates declined. The number and weight of commercial scallops per tow in 2015 increased overall in SPA 1B, although the trend differed among subareas. The number and weight per tow of recruit scallops decreased in most subareas of SPA 1B. Population biomass estimated by the model was 4,350 t (meats) in 2015, an increase of 27% from the estimate of 3,197 t in 2014. This stock is currently in the healthy zone.
In SPA 3, landings were 234.96 t against a TAC of 250 t during the 2015 fishing year. Catch rates in all subareas of SPA 3 have been similar over the past few years. The survey index of number and weight per tow of commercial and recruit scallops decreased in most subareas of SPA 3. Population biomass estimated by the model was 2,620 t (meats) in 2015, a decrease of 7% from the estimate of 2,814 t for 2014. This stock is currently in the healthy zone.
In SPA 4 and 5, landings were 132.35 t against a TAC of 135 t during the 2015 fishing year. The catch rate in SPA 4 has been similar over the past two years. The catch rate in SPA 5 declined in 2015. The survey index of number and weight per tow of commercial scallops increased in SPA 4 in 2015, and the number and weight per tow of recruit scallops decreased. In SPA 5, number and weight per tow of commercial and recruit scallops were above the long term median. Population biomass estimated by the model for SPA 4 was 2,213 t (meats) in 2015, an increase of 70% from the estimate of 1,300 t for 2014. This stock is currently in the healthy zone.
In SPA 6, landings were 231 t against a TAC of 240 t during the 2015 fishing year. Catch rates for Mid Bay decreased in 2015 and increased for Full Bay. Commercial and recruit numbers and weight per tow increased in all subareas of SPA 6. This is the first time the Bay of Fundy assessment model has been used in SPA 6. Population biomass estimated by the model was 1,361 t (meats) in 2015, an increase over the average (2006 to 2012) of 368 t. This stock is currently in the healthy zone.
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