Research Document 1997/05
Regional Review of the status of northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) resources in areas off Newfoundland and Labrador (Divisions OB to 3K)
By D.G. Parsons, P.J. Veitch
Abstract
Data from the commercial fishery for northern shrimp were analyzed for four assessment/management areas: Division 0B, Division 2G, Hopedale + Cartwright Channels and Hawke Channel + Division 3K. These correspond to shrimp fishing areas (SFA's) 2, 4, 5 and 6, respectively. Within each area, inference on the status of the resource was made by examining trends in catch, effort, catch per unit effort, fishing pattern and size/sex composition of the catches. Also, multispecies research trawl surveys in 1995 and 1996 provided valuable information on distribution and abundance of shrimp over a wide area, particularly in Hawke Channel + Division 3K.
The northern shrimp fishery continued to perform well in 1996. Catch rates in the Hopedale + Cartwright and Hawke + 3K areas were as high as or higher than those observed since the fishery began. Research surveys showed that abundance/biomass was high in both areas, particularly in Hawke + 3K. In Division 2G, there was some concern for a decline in catch rates between 1994 and 1996 but the level still remains high compared to other fishing areas and a healthy spawning stock has been maintained. The status of the resource in Division 0B remains uncertain.
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