Capturabilité relative du crabe des neiges dans les relevés plurispécifiques au chalut à Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador

Abstract

Comparative fishing occurred in the Newfoundland and Labrador Region from 2021 to 2023 to determine differences in catchability between outgoing survey vessels—Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Alfred Needler and CCGS Teleost—using the standard Campelen 1800 trawl and the new vessels—CCGS John Cabot and CCGS Capt Jacques Cartier—fishing the modified Campelen trawl. Conversion factors were previously estimated for the CCGS Alfred Needler for fall in Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Divisions (Div.) 3KL based on comparative fishing from 2021 to 2022, however, limited spatial distribution of paired sets precluded estimation of conversion factors for the spring survey, or for Div. 3NO in the fall for this vessel. The CCGS Alfred Needler was decommissioned in February 2022. Subsequently, spring comparative fishing was undertaken between the CCGS Teleost and CCGS John Cabot, with a shadow survey in Div. 3LNO and a targeted program in subDiv. 3Ps. Additionally, further comparative fishing was required during the fall 2023 program to fill in identified data gaps from the fall 2021–22 program associated with shallow depths and representation of small Snow Crab (Chionoecetes opilio). Conversion factors are estimated for these programs and conclusions are presented from previous comparative fishing processes. Additional analyses are used here to support the extension of conversion factors across unsampled areas in some cases. These results should be considered alongside those presented in Newfoundland & Labrador Comparative Fishing Analysis - Part 1 (DFO 2024) and Newfoundland & Labrador Comparative Fishing Analysis - Part 2 (DFO 2025).