Recovery potential assessment of Common Lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) in the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans

Abstract

Common Lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) in Atlantic Canada was designated as Threatened by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) in 2017, due to severe declines in both research survey abundance and biomass indices and commercial landings. In support of listing recommendations by the Minister, Fisheries and Oceans Canada has been asked to undertake a Recovery Potential Assessment (RPA) for Common Lumpfish, based on the national RPA Guidance. A review of available data indicates that survey indices remain low in areas historically associated with higher Common Lumpfish abundance and biomass (i.e., Subdivision [Subdiv.] 3Ps; Division [Div.] 3KL). In addition, commercial landings remain low. Attempts to model Common Lumpfish in this Designatable Unit (DU) using survey and fishery data were unsuccessful. Therefore, precautionary management is advised based on survey-based proxy reference points. Since commercial fishing is the only quantified source of anthropogenic mortality, and the directed fishery targets the eggs of mature females, a reduction in fishing mortality may be required to achieve recovery targets.