Science Advisory Report  2010/024

Assessment of Northern Shrimp (Pandalus borealis) in SFA 0, 2, 3 and Striped Shrimp (Pandalus montagui) in SFA 2, 3 and 4 west of 63°W

Summary

• Pandalus borealis was assessed in management areas SFA 0, SFA 2 (SFA 2EX and SFA 2CM), SFA 3 (SFA 3 and RISA west survey areas) and western Hudson Strait (WHS).
• Pandalus montagui was assessed in management area SFA 2, 3, 4 west of 63°W (SFA 2CM, SFA 3 and SFA 4 west of 63°W).
• Since the 2008 assessment, four research surveys: 2008 DFO survey of SFA 0, 2009 DFO survey of SFA 3 and western Hudson Strait, the 2008 and 2009 Northern Shrimp Research Foundation (NSRF)-DFO surveys of SFA 2EX and RISA provide the fishery-independent data for this assessment.
• Production (survey biomass and fishery data) and fishery exploitation rate indices are used to assess the resources.

SFA 0 – P. borealis

Fishery

• No fishery in recent years.

Biomass

• Resource status is based on two surveys conducted in 2006 and 2008.
• Fishable biomass index was 750 t (2006) and 1,100 t (2008).
• Female spawning stock biomass index was 580 t (2006) and 800 t (2008).

Recruitment

• Recruitment is uncertain.

Mortality

• Competitive TAC of 500 t could result in a potential exploitation rate index of 40%-70% based on the observed biomass. A lower TAC is recommended.

Current Outlook and Future Prospects

• Future prospects for a fishery are limited.
• There are no plans for future surveys in this area.

SFA 2 (SFA 2EX and SFA 2CM combined)– P. borealis

Fishery

• CPUE varied without trend at a high level from 2000 to 2008/09, increasing in 2009/10.

Biomass

• Resource status is based on fishery data and a four year survey series starting in 2006.
• Fishable biomass index increased from 33,000 t in 2006 to 78,000 t in 2009.
• Female spawning stock biomass index increased from 17,000 t in 2006 to 39,000 t in 2009.

Recruitment

• Recruitment is uncertain.

Mortality

• The observed exploitation rate index has declined from a 2006/07 high of 18% to 7% in 2009/10. The four-year mean was 13%.
• Potential exploitation rate index based on total TAC has declined from a high of 27% in 2006/07 to 11% in 2009/10 with a mean of 20%.
• SFA 2 comprises an exploratory area (SFA 2EX) with low exploitation rate index and a commercial area (SFA 2CM).

Current Outlook and Future Prospects

• Survey biomass indices have been increasing since 2006/07.
• Female spawning stock biomass is currently in the healthy zone, well above the provisional Upper Stock Reference.
• Transferring 1,200 t of P. borealis quota from SFA 2CM to SFA 2EX would reduce fishing pressure on SFA 2CM without exceeding an exploitation rate index of about 15% of the observed biomass.

SFA 3 (including RISA-W survey area) – P. borealis

Fishery

• There is no directed P. borealis fishery in this area.

Biomass

SFA3 west of RISA

• Resource status is based on two survey years, 2007 and 2009.
• Fishable biomass index for the two years was 14,600 t (2007) and 15,500 t (2009).
• Female spawning stock biomass index was 3,200 t (2007) and 3,800 t (2009).

RISA-W

• Resource status is based on two survey years, 2008 and 2009.
• Fishable biomass index for the two years was 3,700 t (2008) and 606 t (2009).
• Female spawning stock biomass index was 2,250 t (2008) and 200 t (2009).

Recruitment

• Recruitment is uncertain.

Current Outlook and Future Prospects

• Prospects are uncertain due to limited data.

SFA 2, 3, 4 west of 63° management area – P. montagui

Fishery

• CPUE has varied without trend since 2000 at a high level.

Biomass

• Resource status is based on fishery data and four years of survey data in SFA 2, SFA 4 using the Campelen trawl starting in 2006 and two surveys in SFA 3 east of 66°W using the Cosmos trawl in 2007 and 2009.
• Fishable biomass index for the area between 63°W to 66°W had an overall mean of 12,900 t.
• Fishable biomass index for the SFA 3 area was 48,400 t (2007) and 46,700 t (2009).
• Female spawning stock biomass index for area between 63°W to 66°W had an overall mean of 9,500 t.
• Female spawning stock biomass index for the SFA 3 area was 16,700 t (2007) and 18,000 t (2009).

Recruitment

• Recruitment is uncertain.

Mortality

• The observed exploitation rate index for 2008/09 and 2009/10 was low at 4%.
• The potential exploitation rate index varied between 28% and 47% based on the total TAC (6,300 t) for all P. montagui for 2008/09 and 2009/10.

Current Outlook and Future Prospects

• Female spawning stock biomass is currently in the healthy zone, well above the provisional Upper Stock Reference for the area between 63°W to 66°W.

Western Hudson Strait - P. borealis and P. montagui

Fishery

• There has never been a fishery in this area.

Biomass

• Resource status is based on one survey in 2009.
• Fishable biomass index was 175 t for P. borealis, 3,800 t P. montagui.
• Female spawning stock biomass 7 t for P. borealis and 1,200 t P. montagui.

Current Outlook and Future Prospects

• Outlook for a fishery in this area is poor.

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