PURPOSE:

The objective of the sea scallop survey is to obtain fishery independent data on the abundance, size distribution and location of scallops in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence and to provide science advice on stock status to fishery managers, decision makers and industry stakeholders.

DESCRIPTION:

The sea scallop research survey is conducted on CCGS MPerley (or chartered vessels) and has stratified random sampling. For each tow (or sample), data is recorded on tow, all specimens caught, geolocation, shell height frequency and biological samples.

This monitoring program is currently on-hold. It will resume if a survey is deemed necessary to provide a new or updated science advice in the future. Stock status is currently (2024) in the critical zone. Rebuilding plan to follow.

PARAMETERS COLLECTED:

Catch number (biological), catch weight (biological), individual lengths (biological), age (biological), meat weight (biological).

PHYSICAL SAMPLE DETAILS:

A sub-sample of scallop shells is retained and analysed for age determination in the lab.

SAMPLING METHODS:

From 2012 to 2016, an annual, rotational, multispecies research survey program for scallop in the sGSL was conducted to obtain fishery independent indices of abundance, biomass estimates, and biological characteristics information (shell height, meat weight, sex, clappers). One section of a SFA or the SFA in its entirety was surveyed per year, with the exception of SFA 23 which was excluded because of the low scallop fishing effort reported from this area in recent years.

From 2019 to 2023, annual surveys were conducted on the three major beds in the Northumberland Strait (West Point and Cape Tormentine in SFA 22, Pictou in SFA 24), using a similar methodology as the previous surveys.

Methodology can be found in the Science Advisory Report and the Research Document listed in the citations list.

USE LIMITATION:

To ensure scientific integrity and appropriate use of the data, we would encourage you to contact the data custodian.