Review of the 2021 snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) fishery in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (Areas 12, 12E, 12F and 19)

Abstract

The review of the 2021 snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) fishery in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (sGSL; Areas 12, 12E, 12 F and 19) is presented. Total landings in the sGSL in 2021 were 24,479 t out of a revised quota of 24,125 t. The allowable quota in the notice to harvesters was 23,810 t. For Area 12 harvesters, landings were 20,842 t (revised quota of 20,402 t). The mean catch-per-unit-of-effort (CPUE) from logbooks increased in 2021 (57.4 kg per trap hauled (kg/th)) compared to 2020 (44.1 kg/th). In Areas 12E and 12F, landings were 296 t (revised quota of 288 t) and 1,100 t (revised quota of 1,192 t), respectively. Due to North Atlantic Right whale closures in Areas 12E and F, approximately 24.6% (73 t) and 46.2% (508 t) of the quota allocations in these Areas respectively, were fished in Area 12. In Area 12E, the mean CPUE increased in 2021 (55.7 kg/th) compared to 2020 (45.9 kg/th). In Area 12F, the mean CPUE remained high in 2021 at 59.1 kg/th, an increase compared to 2020 (45.2 kg/th). In Area 19, landings reached 2,241 t (revised quota of 2,244 t). The mean CPUE remained high in 2021 at 121.0 kg/th, an increase from 2020 (101.7 kg/th).