Assessment of the 1992 snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) exploratory fishery in Bay of Islands, western coast of Newfoundland / P. Mallet, R. Campbell and M. Moriyasu.: Fs97-4/2189E-PDF

"An exploratory snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) fishery was initiated in Bay of Islands, on the western coast of Newfoundland in 1987. Since the beginning of this exploratory fishery, it has been managed under no quota limitations. Between 1987 and 1991, landings were negligible (less than 15 t per year). In 1992, landings increased to 199 t, however, the fishery had to be closed on several occasions due to the high incidence of soft shell crab in the catches. The total fishing effort for 1992 was 8,737 trap hauls which represents a catch per unit of effort of 20.8 kg per trap haul. For the first time in 1992, a post-season trawl survey was conducted in Bay of Islands in order to evaluate the available biomass and provide scientific advice for the establishment of a sound management plan. Twenty five (25) stations were sampled during the day time using a twenty five meter (Nephrops) otter trawl. During the survey, 802 crabs (424 males and 378 females) were caught. Using the trawl survey data, the initial biomass of hard shell morphometrically mature males 95.0 mm, for 1993, was estimated at 224.3 t. The high exploitation rate observed in the 1992 season coupled with the uncertainty of the future recruitment to the fishery suggest a cautious approach when setting a TAC level for the 1993 season"--Abstract, page v.

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