N.L. snow crab stocks remain healthy, but there is a threat to growth: DFO
Fisheries and Oceans Canada presented its annual snow crab stock assessment Tuesday
Newfoundland and Labrador snow crab stocks appear to remain healthy, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) said Tuesday during its annual stock assessment report.
The latest assessment suggests the 2024 biomass of commercial-sized snow crab, which measure at a 95 millimetre shell width, remains near the same level as the year prior.
Snow crab landings were recorded at over 56,000 tonnes in 2024.
"Fisheries landings increased from a 25-year low in 2019," said DFO biologist Julia Panting.
"There were increases in total allowable catch and consequently landings in all assessment divisions in 2024, except for 3K."
The DFO established a new biomass index for exploitable snow crab that takes data from trawl and trap surveys. The stock assessment says this new model reduces "the impact of recent gaps in survey data" by using a single-time series.
The department also uses post-season surveys, reported commercial catches and logs, as well as collaborations with the Torngat Joint Fisheries Board and the FAA to assess snow crab stock.
Threat to growth
However, the assessment indicates poor stock growth over the next two to four years because of environmental conditions like warming oceans.
Snow crab thrive in cold water with a narrow range of temperatures, and a warming climate can stunt production, growth and survival.
It typically takes a male snow crab nine to 13 years to reach the legal commercial size.
Pantin told reporters that the amount of small size crab has declined to nearly the lowest levels ever observed.
However, Pantin said, most existing biomass are at a generally healthy level.
Assessment divisions 3K on the northeast coast of the island and 2HJ near Labrador have experienced declines in the exploitable biomass.
"As exploitation rates have come down in some of the recent years, you know, these environmental conditions, it's really something we're going to continue to monitor in the future assessments," said Pantin.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada's next steps include taking advice from industry and Indigenous partners to develop 2025's total allowable catch. The department will also hold advisory meetings.
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