Trends in the biomass, distribution, size composition and model-based estimates of commercial abundance of snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) based on the multi-species bottom trawl survey of the southern...: Fs70-5/2016-089E-PDF

"The research vessel bottom-trawl survey of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence undertaken each September (RV survey) provides reliable standardized indices of biomass, spatial distribution and habitat use of commercial-sized male snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) for 2001 to the present and of all snow crab (aggregated index) for 1980 to the present. Furthermore, results from that survey have successfully been combined with data from a dedicated snow crab survey as part of model-based estimation of the abundance of commercial male snow crab. This document provides an update for biomass indices, spatial distribution, and size composition based on the results of the 2015 RV survey and an update of the model-based estimates of commercial crab abundance. This information was provided in support of the regional snow crab assessment process that took place in Moncton, NB on January 27-28, 2016. Of particular note, the RV survey confirmed a slight decline in the biomass of commercial-sized adult male snow crab from a recent high level, as was also estimated by the dedicated snow crab survey. Model-based estimates of commercial crab abundance in 2015 were above, yet close to, the long-term average. As in recent years, the 2015 RV survey captured an unusually high number of small crabs (≤15 mm) in several areas of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. This is seemingly part of a general increase in small crab abundance since the early 2000s"--Abstract.

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Publication information
Department/Agency Canada. Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
Canada. Ecosystems and Oceans Science.
Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat.
Title Trends in the biomass, distribution, size composition and model-based estimates of commercial abundance of snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) based on the multi-species bottom trawl survey of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, 1980-2015 / H.P. Benoît and N. Cadigan.
Variant title Title at head of French abstract: Tendances de la biomasse, de la distribution, de la composition des tailles et des estimations de crabe des neiges (Chionoecetes opilio) de taille commerciale basées sur le relevé annuel multi-espèces au chalut de fond du sud du golfe du Saint-Laurent, 1980 à 2015
Series title Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat research document, 1919-5044 ; 2016/089, Gulf Region
Publication type Series - View Master Record
Language [English]
Format Electronic
Electronic document
Note(s) “October 2016.”
Includes bibliographical references (p. 7-8).
Includes abstract in French.
Publishing information Ottawa : Fisheries and Oceans Canada, c2016.
Author / Contributor Benoît, H. P. (Hugues Pascal)
Cadigan, Noel G.
Description v, 20 p. : maps (some in col.)
Catalogue number
  • Fs70-5/2016-089E-PDF
Subject terms Fisheries resources
Crustaceans
Fishing area
Fisheries management
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