The Union Forum - Fall 2011 - FFAW

A Project that worksSnow crab survey collects information for users, managersThe FFAW strongly believes those closest to a resource,fish harvesters, must be full partners in the assessment andmanagement of that resource. During the last 20 years greatstrides were made towards that goal and the snow crabresource is one example.Prior to 2003 the main index of abundance used during theassessment of snow crab was the fall DFO muli-species surveyusing bottom trawls. Fish Harvesters questioned the abilityof the survey to provide data that could accurately measuresnow crab abundance and as a result there was often timesmuch disagreement about the status of the resource. Fishharvesters felt that a survey dedicated solely for snow crabusing commercial and modified commercial snow crab trapswould better capture changes in abundance and provide datathat would be more reflective of stock status.During the summer of 2003 the FFAW held extensiveconsultation with fish harvesters throughout Newfoundlandand Labrador. During the discussions with Fish Harvestersand Scientists the survey was designed and survey protocolswere developed. Because of the high level of collaboration,survey development andplanning concluded in timeto conduct the first surveyafter the commercial fisheryconcluded in 2003.By 2008 the survey hadattained a 5 year time series andthe index was fully integratedinto the scientific assessmentof the resource. The survey hasbeen conducted every yearsince 2003 and the data timeseries is one that both FishHarvesters and Scientists havea high degree of confidence in.The development andimplementation of the surveyresulted in industry becomingpartners with science in thedata collection and assessmentprocess. This has led to FishHarvesters, Fisheries Scientistsand Fisheries Managersbecoming better partnersin the management of theresource. There is a high levelof confidence in the dataobtained from the survey andas a result, in recent years, therehas been far less disagreementor uncertainty about the statusof the snow crab resource.Since its inaugural yearin 2003, approximately 2,000 snow crab harvesters haveparticipated in the survey. Annually, approximately 90commercial fishing enterprises set gear and collect data fromapproximately 1500 stations throughout NAFO Divisions 2J,3K, 3LNOP and 4R. Those 1500 stations cover all of the area(from deep within bays to areas outside the 200 mile limit)fished commercially by Newfoundland and Labrador FishHarvesters.The survey is one of the most extensive scientific surveysconducted in the North Atlantic and it requires dedication,strict attention to detail and, a team effort. The mostimportant team member in this survey is Fish Harvesters; theapproximately 300 vessel owners, captains and crew whoparticipate annually. Their hard work and dedication to thesurvey, their attention to survey protocols and their desire toget the job done has made this survey extremely successful.The 2011 survey data will be analyzed and reviewed at theSnow Crab Assessment meeting in March of 2012 and it willbe available for the industry consultations that will take placeshortly after the assessment.Jason Childs and father Ben Childs pulls a fine trap of snow crab and multi-colouredtoad crab during their participation in this season’s crab survey. The analyzed resultsof this year’s surveys will be ready in the spring.Jason Spingle photo40th Anniversary IssueFall 2011 - The Union Forum - 25