Exploratory Jonah crab, Cancer borealis, fishery in lobster fishing area 33 (1997-1999) / B. Adams, A. Reeves and R. Miller. : Fs70-1/2000-027E-PDF

The exploratory Jonah crab fishery in lobster fishing area (LFA) 33 has been fished from 1997-99. The fishery was assessed with sea samples, port samples and analysis of mandatory fisher logbooks. Field experiments showed 76 x 150 mm entrance restrictions did not affect bycatch or Jonah catch, handling the catch increased crab mortality, weight of crabs in a box did not affect mortality, and shark bait was superior to pollock frames. Laboratory experiments comparing trap types showed lobster traps performed best. CPUE and size frequency data suggest that current exploitation levels are not endangering the sustainability of Jonah crab stocks in LFA 33. However, fleet size should be maintained near current levels until a greater proportion of potential Jonah crab habitat has been explored. Recommended changes in regulations are a minimum legal carapace width of 127 mm, no restriction on retention of females, escape gaps of at least 47.5 mm high, a lengthening of season, and no Jonah bycatch allowed by other fisheries.

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