Update of stock status indicators for Northern Shrimp, Pandalus borealis, and Striped Shrimp, Pandalus montagui, in the Eastern assessment zone, February 2024

Abstract

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Resource Management (RM) has requested Science advice on the status of the two species of shrimp, Northern Shrimp (Pandalus borealis) and Striped Shrimp (Pandalus montagui) in the waters adjacent to Nunavut and Nunavik. Both species in the Eastern Assessment Zone (EAZ) were last fully assessed in 2023 (DFO 2023). Full assessments are carried out every two years with stock status updates in the intervening years. The next full assessment is scheduled for 2025. This assessment follows the framework developed in 2007 for Northern Shrimp off Labrador and the northeastern coast of Newfoundland (DFO 2007). The Limit Reference Point (LRP) was updated and an updated Upper Stock Reference point (USR) was proposed in 2020 (DFO 2020). A series of fishery independent surveys and fishery data formed the basis of the current assessment. This Science Response Report results from the regional peer review of February 6, 2024 on the Stock Update of Northern Shrimp (Pandalus borealis) and Striped Shrimp (P. montagui) in the Eastern Assessment Zone and Western Assessment Zone, February 2024. (IFMP). Additional publications from this meeting will be posted on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science Advisory Schedule as they become available.