Assessment of the Arctic surfclam (Mactromeris polynyma) stocks of Quebec coastal waters in 2020

Abstract

This research paper presents the Arctic surfclam biology and fishing activities. It also presents data and methodologies used to prepare the Quebec inshore waters Arctic surfclam stock assessment after the 2020 fishing season. This information was presented at the peer review meeting held virtually on February 22, 2021. Mean annual Arctic surfclam landings in Quebec totalled 587 t from 2018 to 2020, an 8% decrease compared with the 2015–2017 period. The North Shore accounted for 99% of landings and the Magdalen Islands for 1%. The annual Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the 2018–2020 period averaged over 80% in areas 3A and 3B. There was no fishing in areas 1A and 5B in 2018 and Area 2 was fished in 2018 only. There was no fishing in Area 1B from 2018 to 2020 and areas 4C and 5A remain unexploited. Mean catches per unit effort (CPUE) from 2018 to 2020 are above the time series (1993–2019) median for Area 3A but below it for areas 1A, 2, 3B, 4A, 4B and 5B. Mean sizes at landing of surfclams from 2018 to 2020 are above the time series median for areas 2, 3A, 4B and 5B, but below it for areas 1A, 3B and 4A. The exploitation rate in each area (based on the dredged surface area) was below the recommended rate of 3% in all fishing areas. According to the existing decision rules, only Area 3A meets all the conditions for a 6% quota increase. Maintaining the current quota in the other areas should not affect the status of the resource. Fishing effort in one fishing area should be distributed within and among beds in order to limit the possibility of local overexploitation.