Évaluation du crabe des neiges (Chionoecetes opilio) à Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador en 2023

Abstract

The status of the Newfoundland and Labrador Snow Crab (Chionoecetes opilio) resource (Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization [NAFO] Divs. 2HJ3KLNOP4R) is assessed using a variety of metrics. The resource is assessed at large-scale Assessment Divisions (ADs), which are comprised of combinations of NAFO Divisions or Subdivisions. Former ADs 3L Inshore and 3LNO Offshore were combined into one AD (3LNO) in the current assessment. Resource status was evaluated based on trends in survey exploitable (≥95 mm carapace width [CW] male Snow Crab) biomass indices, fishery catch per unit effort (CPUE), fishery recruitment prospects, and mortality indices. Information was derived from multiple sources: multispecies bottom trawl surveys conducted during the fall in ADs 2HJ, 3K, and 3LNO and in the spring in AD 3Ps, two collaborative trap surveys covering all ADs, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) inshore trap surveys in ADs 3K, 3LNO, and 3Ps, fishery data from logbooks, landings from the dockside monitoring program, at-sea observer catch-effort data, and oceanographic surveys. Conversion factors to calibrate DFO trawl survey catches for Snow Crab between new and outgoing vessels were estimated and applied across the survey area. Snow Crab landings remained near 50,000 t from 2007 – 15, but steadily declined to a 25-year low of 26,400 t in 2019. Landings have continued to increase since then and were over 51,000 t in 2023. Overall effort increased to near 3.8 million trap hauls in 2023. Overall standardized fishery CPUE was at a time-series low in 2018, but increased to near the time-series high in 2022 and decreased slightly in 2023. The trawl and trap survey exploitable biomass indices have increased from historic lows in 2016 – 18 but remained at a similar level in 2023 as 2022. Fishery Exploitation Rate Indices (ERIs) were moderate to low in most ADs in recent years. Status quo removals would maintain the moderate exploitation rates in most ADs in 2024. Pre-recruit (>70 mm CW adolescent males) and small (<45 mm CW) crab indicators as well as model predictions of exploitable biomass based on climate variables indicate that resource growth may be limited in the short-term. In 2024, all ADs are projected to remain in the Healthy Zone of the Precautionary Approach (PA) Framework, except AD 2HJ, which is projected to remain in the Cautious Zone. These projections assume status quo removals. Recent and ongoing data deficiencies resulted in the exclusion of AD 4R3Pn from the PA Framework.