Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (CFAs 12, 12E, 12F and 19) Snow Crab (Chionoecetes opilio) stock assessment in 2024

Abstract

Stock status of southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (sGSL) snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) in 2024 is in the healthy zone of the Precautionary Approach (PA). A commercial biomass of 51,786 tonnes (t) is projected for 2025. Fishery recruitment biomass is estimated at 34,946 t, while the residual biomass was estimated at 17,091 t. Based on the harvest decision rule, the commercial biomass estimate corresponds to a target exploitation rate of 35.73% and a catch option of 18,503 t for the 2025 fishery. For this catch option, a risk analysis indicates that there is a very low likelihood that the residual biomass would be below the limit reference point and a moderate likelihood (39.6%) that the 2025 commercial stock biomass will fall below the upper stock reference point of 41,400 t. Female spawning stock abundance remains high, although primiparous abundance is low. Population recruitment has declined to below average levels. There is continued evidence of warming conditions in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence that can impact snow crab population dynamics and distribution.