Évaluation des stocks de crabe des neiges de l'estuaire et du nord du golfe du Saint-Laurent (zones 13 à 17, 12A, 12C et 16A) en 2022

Abstract

The total allowable catch (TAC) in 2022 was similar to that in 2021 (1,202.8 t, down 0.9%), and was reached. Landings in 2022 totalled 1,211.6 t, representing a 0.4% decrease from 1,217.0 t in 2021. Between 2021 and 2022, the standardized commercial catch per unit effort (CPUE) declined slightly (-2.5%) and is currently below the historical average [2000; 2021]. The carapace width of legal-size crabs sampled at sea increased between 2021 and 2022, and is above the historical average [2000; 2021]. According to dockside sampling data, recruits made up more than half of landings in 2022, a trend observed since 2018. The commercial abundance index derived from the post-season survey rose significantly between 2021 and 2022 and is slightly below the historical average [2000; 2021]. This increase is observed throughout the fishing area, with recruit abundance above the historical average [2000; 2021]. The abundance of legal- and sublegal-size adolescent males declined in the southern part of the fishing area but increased in the northern part—in both cases, to below the respective historical average [2000; 2021]. According to the post-season survey, the abundance of primiparous females has been increasing since 2020, while the spermathecal load weight has been decreasing since 2019. Indicators of favourable thermal habitat for large and small crabs showed a downward temporal trend during the 1990-2022 period. The combined index, derived from the commercial CPUE and the number per unit effort (NPUE) obtained from the post-season survey, rose by 26.6 % in 2022, suggesting that the biomass available to the fishery in 2023 will be greater than in 2022. Outlook The combined index increased between 2021 and 2022, suggesting that the biomass available to the fishery in 2023 will be greater than that in 2022. Given the expected high abundance of recruits, associated with densities of mature females that are still high, it is suggested that the increase in removals in 2023 be limited to prevent increased white crab mortality and to avoid obtaining a sex ratio that is overly biased towards females. Higher scenario: A 25% increase relative to total landings in 2022. Intermediate scenario: A 15% increase relative to total landings in 2022. Lower scenario: A 5% increase relative to total landings in 2022.