The Status of Iceland Scallop (Chlamys islandica) in the Strait of Belle Isle (SFA 14A, Div. 4R) in 2018

Abstract

The directed fishery for Iceland scallop (Chlamys islandica) in the Strait of Belle Isle (Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization [NAFO] Div. 4R) has been prosecuted annually since 1969 with the exception of four years (1975–79). Populations in the Strait of Belle Isle are found on three beds at depths from 30–120 m. They are usually on hard bottom with variable substrate composition consisting largely of sand, gravel, shell fragments, and stones. Landings have averaged approximately 250 t since 2009, with lower than average landings of 115 t and 127 t in 2017 and 2018 respectively. The total allowable catch of 1000 t has not been taken since 2000. Catch per unit effort over the last decade has remained stable. The number of active licenses has declined in recent years to its lowest level. Since 2006 more than 90% of the landings has been taken from Bed 3 (southern bed). Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) resource assessment surveys in September 2011 and 2018 resulted in minimum dredgeable biomass (MDB) estimates of 4,123 (t, round) and 3,432 (t, round) respectively. For the duration of the survey time series (since 1995) the MDB estimates have varied without trend. The natural mortality estimate was 0.26 in 2018 which was the highest in the survey time series.