Assessment and advice of Snow Crab in West Greenland 2010. Technical Report No. 83

By An Assessment and advise of snow crab in west Greenland 2011 nDorte Burmeister a Helle Siegstad By AnnDorte Burmeister TEKNISK RAPPORT NR. 83, 2010 Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 2 Titel: Assessment and advice of Snow Crab in West Greenland 2010 Forfatter(e): AnnDorte Burmeister Serietitel og nummer: Teknisk rapport nr. 83 Udgiver: Pinngortitaleriffik, Grønlands Naturinstitut Udgivelsestidspunkt: November 2010 Oversættelse: Finansiering: Forsidefoto: AnnDorte Burmeister ISBN: 87-91214-51-3 ISSN: 1397-3657 Bedes citeret: Burmeister, AD. 2010. Asessment of snow crab in West Greenland 2011 Teknisk Rapport nr. 83, Pinngortitaleriffik, Grønlands Naturinstitut Rekvireres: Rapporten er udelukkende udgivet elektronisk. PDF-fil af Rapporten findes på instituttets hjemmeside http://www.natur.gl/publikationer/tekniske rapporter Det er muligt at rekvirere en udskrift af rapporten her: Pinngortitaleriffik, Grønlands Naturinstitut Postboks 570 3900 Nuuk Grønland Tlf. +299 36 12 00 Fax. +299 36 12 12 [email protected] www.natur.gl T68nisk rapport nr. 68, 2007 Pinngortitaleriffik, Grønlands Naturinstitut Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 3 Assessment and advice of Snow Crab in West Greenland 2011 Introduction This report documents the scientific basis for the assessment of snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) stocks in West Greenland. Snow crabs are patchily distributed and commercially exploited along the coast and within the fjords. The fishery is managed by quotas and assessed when data are available within the inshore and offshore of 6 management areas (Upernavik, Uummannaq-Disko Bay, Sisimiut, Maniitsoq-Kangaamiut, Nuuk-Paamiut and Narsaq-Qaqortoq. The report briefly updates and summarizes the historical background of commercial crab fishing, which includes catch, effort, CPUE and spatial distribution of the fishery, as well as the results from scientific surveys undertaken by the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources (GINR). There are no specific long-term management objectives for the snow crab resource in West Greenland. However, since 2004 the main objective of recommendations from GINR has been to stop the decline in biomass of the crab resource in the different management areas. Summary Management area Disko Bay - Uummannaq  The recommended catch level for 2011 in Disko Bay inshore is 600 tons and unchanged from 2010. The quota should be divided on 200 tons in the southern part of Disko Bay, 200 tons in the Northern part of the bay and 200 tons in Vaigat. Management area Sisimiut  The recommended catch level for 2011 in Sisimiut inshore is 500 tons, divided on 200 tons in the traditionally fishing area and 300 tons in Ndr. Isortoq and Ndr. Stoemfjord.  The offshore area are recommended closed for fishery in 2011 Management area Nuuk - Paamiut  The recommended catch level for 2011 in Nuuk – Paamiut inshore is 200 tons.  The recommended catch level for 2011 in Nuuk - Paamiut offshore is 1,000 tons. The recommended catch level was 1.600 tons in 2010. Management area Maniitsoq - Kangaamiut  Due to the lack of survey and fishery data no recommendation is given for Maniitsoq - Kangaamiut inshore and offshore. Management area Narsaq - Qaqortoq  Due to the lack of survey and fishery data no recommendation is given for Narsaq - Qaqortoq inshore and offshore. Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 4 General recommendation and advice  GINR recommends a seasonal fishery from April to July in all management areas to reduce discarding and associated mortality to soft-shelled crabs and to maximize recruitment to the stock. Such a seasonal fishery will also promote the most optimal and sustainable utilization of the crab resource. Resource status in each management area derived from fishery data An overview of GINR‟s recommendations and the imposed quota and fishing status (open or closed) of the management areas in 2011 are given in Table 1. Table 1. Summary of catch recommendations for the crab fishery in 2011 from the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources and total catch from 2009 (catch statistics for 2010 are incomplete at this time). Recommended catch Inshore 2011 in tons Recommended catch Offshore 2011 in tons Catch in tons 2009 Inshore Catch in tons 2009 Offshore Recommended catch Inshore 2010 in tons Recommended catch Offshore 2010 in tons Disko Bay 600 130 471 186 600 130 Sisimiut 500 Cloosed 597 354 500 200 Maniitsoq No advice No advice 88 171 No advice No advice Nuuk-Paamiut 200 1.000 435 676 200 1.600 Narsaq - Kap Farvel No advice No advice 187 - Ingen Ingen Recommended catch in all 1.000 1.330 1.778 1.387 1.300 1.930 Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 5 Species biology Snow crab habitat include sites were bottom is covered by mud/sand and rock. Their diets include brittle stars, shrimp, younger stages of snow crab (cannibalism), clams, polychaete worms and other crustaceans. Predators are various groundfish, snow crab and human. Snow crab hatching their broods in spring and larvae undergo two planktonic larval stages and settle to bottom during fall. Benthic juveniles snow crab males as well as females molt frequently and become sexually mature from > 50 mm carapace width (CW) depending on bottom temperature. Snow crabs tend to molt during spring and continue until terminal molt at adulthood is reached within a size range of 50 – 130 mm CW for males and 40 – 95 mm CW for females. At the terminal molt males developing enlarges claws improving their mating ability. Only a portions of any given cohort recruit to the fishery at 100 mm CW, where the males is approx. 9 to 10 years. Recruitment is periodic or episodic and varies considerably over a cycle of 8 to 12 years. After the molt to adulthood legal sized males remain soft/new shelled having low meat yield for the rest of the year. In the following year, meat yield would have increased to a suitable level for the industry. Discard of soft shell and new-shelled, due to their low yield contents is resources wastage. Historical fishery background Snow crabs are distributed along the West coast of Greenland and are commercially exploited primarily from Disko Bay in the North (up to 71 30N) to Paamiut in the South (60 45N). Commercial fishery for snow crab began primarily in inshore areas (within basis-line) in the mid1990s and from 1999, also included offshore areas (outside basis-line). Since 2004, the crab resource in Greenland has been managed in 6 areas (from North to South - Upernavik, Uummannaq-Disko Bay, Sisimiut, Maniitsoq-Kangaamiut, Nuuk-Paamiut and Narsaq-Qaqortoq, see Fig. 1). The fishing fleet is made up of two components; small vessels (less than 75 GRT), which have exclusive rights for fishing inshore within the basis-line as well as offshore. Small vessels are, however, restricted to fishing in only 2 management area during the year. Large vessels (greater than 75 GRT) may only fish in all offshore areas (outside the basisline), but not within the “Crab Boxes”. Quota restrictions have been imposed to each of the 6 management area since 1995 and individual quotas to vessels larger > 75 GRT, but have only limited the catch in 2004. Management decisions allow increasing quota in each of the 6 management area, when the catch achieved the first fixed quota. Un-used quota from larger vessels is re-allocated to the inshore fleet (small vessels < 75 GRT). Basically, there is now quota restriction for the small vessel. The fishery is regulated by prohibitions to land females and undersized males (<100 mm CW), logbooks for all vessels larger than 10 meters and closure of the fishery north of 64°N for 3 months (1 January to 31 March). There is also a regulation that states movement of the fishing effort when soft-shelled crabs exceed 20% of the catch, however the term “movement” is not specific and this is not monitored. From 2005 to 2007, the offshore crab fishery was closed in the management areas Maniitsoq-Kangaamiut and from 2005 to August 2007 in the offshore area of Sisimiut except for dispensation to 1 vessel that was allowed to fish in 2005. Only in 2006, the fishery was closed for 2½ months (July 1 to September 15) in all areas except UumannaqDisko Bay (closed only 1 month from July 1 – August 3) to protect soft-shelled crabs. Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 6 The number of vessels with licenses to participate in the snow crab fishery increased by more than a factor of 3 from approx. 120 to 374 boats from 1999-2002. Since then the number of both large and small vessels have decreased substantially as the abundance of the resource has also declined. In 2008 the number license holders amounted 74 in all management areas an 80% reduction compared to 2002. In 2009 number of license increased to 117. Greenland Institute of Natural Resources (GINR) provide stock assessment and total allowable catch (TAC) advice for the stock both inshore and offshore within each management area when sufficient data is available. The decision to give advice for both inshore and offshore areas was based on the assumption that snow crab migration is limited (tagging studies have indicated approx. 10 km per year) and therefore the resource in different areas is considered to be spatially independent. Commercial fishery data Logbooks from the large vessels >75 GRT have been mandatory since 1999 in conjunction with the start of offshore fishing with vessels of this size. Logbooks for the small vessels (<75 GRT) were first mandatory from July 2002, and thus first covered the annual fishery in 2003. Only landing statistics are available from boats less than 10 meters as they are not required to report catches in logbooks. Catch, Effort and CPUE The historical development of the crab fishery in Greenland is shown in Figure 2. Landings increased from approx. 1,000 tons in 1995 to a peak of approx. 15,000 tons (Quota 26,800 tons) in 2001 (based on landings from small vessels and catch from logbook data from large vessels >75 GRT). From 2001 to 2007 total catch decreased by approx. 89% to 2,189 tons (Quota 4,380 tons). Landings increase to 3,191 tons (Quota 4,680 tons) in 2009 and preliminary data indicate an additional decrease in landings in 2010 (approx. 1.800 tons ultimo October 2010, Quota 4,050 tons). In 2008 and 2009 quota was increased from 500 tons to 800 tons in the management area Sisimiut and from 700 tons to 1000 tons in Nuuk - Paamiut management area (only in 2009). The increasing quota was based on re-allocation (removing a part of the quota from five vessels > 75 GRT) allowing small vessel < 75 GRT to increase catches inshore as well as offshore. The distribution of landings and geographic distribution of the fishery in each management area in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, show that most of the landings in 2008 have predominately come from management Sisimiut (42%), where as Disko Bay–Uummanaq and Nuuk-Paamiut amounted 27% and 26% respectively of the total landings. The total fishing effort (trap hauls) has declined by 91% since 2001 (from 3,416 to 323 thousand trap hauls during 2001-2008) (Fig. 3). The decline has been mostly due to a declining number of participants in the fishery. Preliminary and incomplete logbook data for 2010 shows total effort is 220 thousand trap hauls. The overall distribution of the fishery along the West coast of Greenland from 2003-2009, derived from available logbook data is shown in Figure 4. Research Surveys Since 1997, trap surveys have been conducted annually in inshore areas of Disko Bay and Sisimiut. In 2000, a Sisimiut offshore area (Holsteinsborg Dyb) was included in the Sisimiut trap survey. In 2002, annual offshore trap surveys were initiated in areas between Nuuk and Paamiut and in 2003 were extended north to include the offshore in the Maniitsoq-Kangaamiut management area. Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 7 Methods Snow crabs are sampled with Japanese-style conical traps with large (70 mm) and small (21 mm) mesh sizes. Sampling stations are at predetermined fixed positions for all years and soak times range between 14-24 hrs depending on weather conditions. Bottom temperatures are recorded at each station. For males, the carapace width (CW) and chela height (CH) are measured (± 0.01 mm) to determine size and molt status (adolescent or adult). Male snow crabs stop growing after their terminal moult. Sexually mature males are referred to as adolescents (recognized by their small claws) prior to the terminal molt and as adults after their terminal molt (large claws). Males reach legal size (100 mm CW) at about 9 years of age. The range of carapace widths defining the adolescent male groups which are presumably 1, 2 and 3 years from recruitment to legal size are: ADO-1, 82.2-100mm CW; ADO-2, 67.3-82.2mm CW and ADO-3, 53.2-67.3mm CW. For females, the CW and abdomen width (AW) are measured (± 0.01mm) to determine size and maturity. Females that have mated once and are carrying their first clutch of eggs are called primiparous, while females that are carrying their second clutch and have mated more than once are called multiparous. They are distinguishable by the number of scars on their legs caused by mating and by shell conditions. Shell condition in both males and females is determined on a scale of 1-5 according to guidelines by Sainte-Marie (1993). Data from trap survey catches of males are used to determine CPUE (kg/trap), mean CW of legalsize males, shell condition and NPUE (number- /trap) of adolescent males to assess recruitment prospects. Male and females size distributions are also described to follow the progression of size modes through the populations and determine primiparous/multiparous ratios within the female population. Inshore surveys in Disko Bay and Sisimiut In Disko Bay, 43 stations are sampled annually (Fig. 5a) and in Sisimiut, 40 stations are sampled (Fig. 5b), from May to June. The sampling gear consists of a longline of 10 large-mesh (70mm) and 2 small-mesh (21mm) conical traps fished at depths ranging from 100-600m. Traps are placed approx. 40m apart and baited with squid. Offshore surveys in Sisimiut, Maniitsoq and NuukPaamiut Fifteen stations are sampled annually in Sisimiut offshore (Fig. 5b) in June and a total of 30-60 stations are sampled in the Nuuk-Paamiut and Maniitsoq offshore areas in August-September (Fig. 5c). The sampling method in Sisimiut offshore is the same as the method used inshore in Disko Bay and Sisimiut. In 2002, the sampling in the Nuuk-Paamiut offshore survey was also the same as the method inshore. In 2003, however, the offshore sampling method used in Nuuk-Paamiut and Maniitsoq was changed such that each station was then sampled using a long line of 16 traps, eight large-meshed traps alternating with eight small-meshed traps at approx. 40m apart and baited with squid. Input data from commercial fishery to assessment No sampling from the commercial fishery has been conducted since the fishery began in 1996. Available logbook and landing statistics is used in data analysis from the commercial fishery. Logbooks nominal catches has since 2003 covered more than 85% of the total landings in Greenland. Before 2003 less than 20% of the fishing fleet were using logbooks. In order to calculate a standardised CPUE index, a GLM analysis (multiadditive model) was carried out using haul by haul logbook information Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 8 including zero catches. The model includes year, month and vessel effects. Management area: Uummannaq-Disko Bay The historical catch, CPUE and effort data for the fishery in Uummannaq-Disko Bay in the inshore and offshore areas are summarized in Table 2. Data for 2010 are preliminary. One of the most important fishing areas has been Disko Bay where catches are predominately from the inshore. Total catches peaked at 4,202 tons (94% inshore) in 2001 and since then have steadily declined to 657 tons (84% inshore) in 2009, approximately 16% of the 2001 catch. Number of permits as well as number of active vessels has decreased over time. In 2003, 43 permits were given to the management area, but only 31 vessels were active that year. In 2009 there 22 permits were issued and 12 vessels were participated in the fishery. Inshore - Disko Bay Fishery The distribution of the fishery in Disko Bay from 2003 to 2008, according to available logbook data is shown in Figure 6. Fishing grounds include both Vaigat, area “Disko North” and “Disko South”. The geographic distribution of the fishery has been homogeneous in the period from 2003 to 2008, although total catches, CPUE used effort has changed markedly. In contrast to the previous years, 2009 and 2010 preliminary data indicate a very limit fishery in the area “Disko North”. The fishery in Disko Bay starts in April, peaks during the summer months (June-July) and steadily declines towards the end of the year, except in 2007 when the fishery increased during fall and peaked in October (Fig. 7). The temporal pattern of CPUE in 2009 showed CPUE peaked in July and August and decreased as the season progressed. A standardized CPUE index (Fig. 8), show a significant dropped in CPUE from 2001 to 2004 from approx. 7.6 kg/trap to 3.6 kg/trap (F= 37.04, P < 0.0001). In the following years CPUE has staidly increased to approx. 5 kg/trap in 2008 and 2009. Preliminary data for 2010 indicate stable trends in CPUE (Table 2) and (Fig. 8). From 2000-2001 catches inshore increased from 2,940 – 3,950 tons as effort more than doubled (table 2). CPUE, however, decreased from 4.8 to 3.1 kg per trap. Catches and effort have significantly declined since 2001 by approximately 88% to 471 tons and 93 thousand trap hauls, respectively, in 2009 (Table 2 and Fig. 8). Standardized soak time index (Fig. 9), shows a significantly decrease in soak time from 2001 to 2002. Since 2003 soak time increased steadily until 2007, at a level of average 72 hour per hauls and comparable to 2001 level. Research Surveys Research Surveys Trap surveys have been conducted in 2 inshore areas of Disko Bay since 1997 (See Fig. 5a for maps). Important: Owing to the breakdown of the main engine at the research ship Adolf Jensen, the survey has been cancelled in 2009. In 2008 survey was only conducted in the Northern part of Disko Bay. No new survey data is available for the stock assessment and advice. Standardized CPUE of legal-size males (100mm CW) in South decreased substantially since 2001 by more than 50% from 4.2-1.7 kg/trap. Subsequently CPUE steadily increase in 2007 comparable with the 2001 level. A decline in CPUE to xx kg/trap has been observed in 2010 (Fig. 10). In North standardized CPUE declined from 7.5-2.3 kg/trap in North from 2001 to the lowest observed level in the time series in 2004 (Fig. 10). In 2005 CPUE was still considerably low, but increased to Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 9 6.4 kg/trap in 2006 followed by a decline in 2007 to 4.4 kg/trap. From 2008 to 2010 CPUE have remained stable at approximately 5 kg/trap. The mean carapace width (CW) of legal-size males had continually declined in both survey areas to a minimum in 2004 (Fig. 11). CW subsequently increased in both areas in 2005 and remaining unchanged in South to 2007, while the mean CW has increased over the past 4 years in Disko Bay North to 116 mm CW in 2008. In 2010 CW dropped to 112 mm CW. The abundance of adolescent males, 82.2 mm – 100 mm CW (ADO-1) measured as number per trap (NPUE) oscillate over the time series in both the Northern and Southern part of Disko Bay (Fig. 12). In South ADO-1 initially decreasing from 2002 – 2004 and increasing to a peak in 2008. In 2010, a minor decline has been observed. In Disko Bay North, abundance of ADO-1) peaked at 2.6/trap in 2002 (Fig. 12). The NPUE of ADO-1 has since declined sharply and was at the lowest levels observed for the time series in 2004 and 2007. An additional peak was observed in 2008 followed by a decrease in 2010 to approx. 1.5/trap. Annual trends in size distribution of adolescent and adult males are shown in Fig. 13. In South there was no further progression through the size range until 2006. Data from 2007 implies a recent increase in recruitment caused by increasing recruitment of small legal-sized new-shelled since 2005. In 2010 modal was 95mm CW as in 2007, but number of males > 100 mm was remarkably lower in 2007. In the Northern part of Disko Bay the recruitment pulse in 2005, resulted in increasing CPUE and mean CW as legal-sided adolescent pre-recruits molted and the „recruitment pulse‟ progressed through the size range. The decrease in ADO-1 males in 2006 showed up clearly as a reduction of adult males in the size range from 100mm to 130mm CW. In North there was progression through the size range in 2007 and 2008. Data from 2008 strongly implies a recent increase in recruitment caused by increasing recruitment of small legal-sized newshelled since 2006. Further more in 2008, the highest proportion of adolescent males from 60 mm to approx. 80 mm CW has been observed in North (i.e. a mix of ADO2 and ADO3, expected to recruit to the fishery with in 2 and 3 years from 2008). In North the recruitment pulse since 2008, didn‟t results in increasing CPUE in the two following years. There is no data on recruitment available from 2009, but an increasing modal at approx. 100 mm compared to 2008, suggesting fair recruitment from 2009 to 2010, which also is confirmed by number the of ADO-2, 67.3 – 82.2 mm CW, in 2008. Data from 2010 show removals of males > 120mm CW, suggesting that the fishery is dependent on males from 100 – 115 mm CW. Increasing proportion of legal-size soft and newshelled males (shell condition 1 and 2) have been observed from 2001-2006 (Fig. 14) and have peaked at around 70% in 2006 in both South and North. The continuously high proportion of soft and new-shelled males suggests a continuous removal of the older shelled males by the fishery, which was becoming increasingly dependent upon recruitment in the years from 2001 to 2006. Proportion of soft and new shelled males (shell condition 1 and 2) decreased in 2008, probably an effect of a substantial decreased in fishery removals in the Northern part of Disko Bay. In 2010 number of soft shell males increased to approx. 55%, as an effect of incoming new recruitment. The ratio of primiparous and multiparous females, used to support trends in recruitment, decreased sharply in South from 2000 to 2003, remained low in 2004 and has increased until 2006 and decreased again from 2006 to 2007 (Fig. 15). The increase in South in 2005 and 2006 could either Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 16 Recommendations for the 2011 fishery - Offshore Sisimiut In 2010 there is no sign of progression in the biomass and the sign of recovery has turned to a significant decline in the biomass and recruitment. It is therefore recommended to close offshore area in 2011 and until the stock has more fully recovered. Special comments: Harvesting should be monitored using a precautionary approached, careful monitoring of the populations response to the fishery and implementation of re-open /re-closure criteria. Management area: Maniitsoq-Kangaamiut The historical catch, CPUE and effort data of the fishery in Maniitsoq-Kangaamiut inshore and offshore areas are summarized in Table 2. Overall catches of snow crab from the fishery in Maniitsoq-Kangaamiut area increased from 944 tons in 2000 to 1,835 and 1,775 tons in 2001 and 2002, respectively, as effort was doubled. Catches then decreased considerably to 486 tons in 2003 and steadily decrease to 130 tons in 2008. In 2009 catches reached 259 tons. Inshore Maniitsoq-Kangaamiut Fishery Catches in Maniitsoq-Kangaamiut inshore peaked in 2001 and 2002 at approx. 1,000 tons both years but in the subsequent years the fishery have been very limited and in 2009 the catch level amounted to 88 tons. CPUE increased with decreasing catch and effort (Table 2). No standardized index of CPUE and soak time has been prepared, owing to the lack of data and irregularly recurring fishery in this area. Outlook - Inshore Maniitsoq-Kangaamiut It is not possible to determine the biomass of the resource in the area, and data from the fishery are limited. There is no survey in the inshore area and comparative biomass and recruitment prospects are unknown. Recommendations for the 2011fishery - Inshore Maniitsoq-Kangaamiut Due to the lack of survey and fishery data no advice is given for Maniitsoq-Kangaamiut inshore. Offshore Maniitsoq-Kangaamiut Fishery Catches in Maniitsoq-Kangaamiut offshore peaked in 2001 at a catch level of 826 tons and a CPUE of 5 kg/trap. Annual catches subsequently declined sharply to 11 tons in 2005. Continued poor state of the resource, as confirmed by data from a biological survey led to the recommended and implemented closure of the offshore area in 2005 and again in 2006 to promote the recovery of the resource. In 2007 CPUE has increased to approx. 10.2 kg/trap, as well as catches and effort increased to 174 tons in 2007. In 2008 the catch decreased to 111 tons but increased to 171 tons in 2009. CPUE decreased from to 9.0 kg/trap in 2008 to 5.9 kg/trap in 2009. Preliminary data for 2010 indicate no fishery in the offshore area. No standardised index of CPUE or soak time have been prepared, owing to the lack of data and irregularly recurring fishery in this area. Research Surveys Owing to the breakdown of the main engine and continued technical problems with the research ship Adolf Jensen, the survey has been cancelled in 2007, 2008 and 2009. In 2010 no new survey data are available for the stock assessment and advice. Outlook - Offshore Maniitsoq-Kangaamiut Fishery data is very sparse and those available suggest a decreasing tendency since 2007. Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 17 Recommendations for the 2011 fishery - Offshore Maniitsoq-Kangaamiut No new data are available for 2010. Due to the lack of survey and fishery data no advice is given for Maniitsoq-Kangaamiut offshore. Management area: Nuuk-Paamiut The historical catch, CPUE and effort data of the fishery in Nuuk-Paamiut inshore and offshore areas are summarized in Table 2. The Nuuk-Paamiut area has been an important fishing area where total catches peaked at more than 5,000 tons in 2001 (Table 2. And fig. 32). In the successive years catch and effort declined substantially to 512 tons in 2006. Over the past two years catches have been steadily increasing to a level of 1,111 tons in 2009 (Table 2 and Fig.32). Inshore - Nuuk-Paamiut Fishery Catches peaked at 4,157 tons in 2001 and then declined by more than 97% to 111 tons in 2007 (Table 2 and Fig. 33), while fishing effort declined by 98%. Over the past two years catches and effort have increased with approx. 75% to 435 tons in 2009. From the standardised CPUE index (Fig. 33) it appears that CPUE has gradually increased during this period from a low of 1.8 kg/trap in 2000 to 8.4 kg/trap in 2006 (F= 23,76, P<0.0001) and remained somewhat stable at approx. 7kg/trap from 2007 to 2009. Preliminary CPUE for 2010 indicate a minor decline to 6 kg/trap. During the past 3 years average soak time have been declining to from approx. 80 to 55 hour per hauled traps fleet (Fig. 34). Outlook - Inshore Nuuk-Paamiut There is no survey undertaken in Nuuk-Paamiut inshore thus recruitment indices and other biological parameters are not available. The commercial CPUE has been somewhat stable since 2005 as total catch and effort have remained at a low level; less that 250 tons until 2008. An increase in catch to 435 t in 2009 did not result in reduced CPUE that year. However, there is concern regarding sustainability of the resource at such higher catch levels, due to the lack of biological data. Recommendations for the 2011 fishery - Inshore Nuuk-Paamiut There had been indications of increase in the exploitable biomass over the last several years in a scenario of decreasing commercial exploitation. It is however, difficult to determine the extent of the improvement in the resource due to the lack of other stock indices. It is therefore recommended that a catch level of 200 tons be set for 2011 and comparable to the approximate catch level from 2005 to 2008. Offshore - Nuuk-Paamiut Fishery The distribution in the offshore fishery has changed slightly from a continuous distribution of effort along the inner edges of the offshore banks from the middle of the Nuuk-Paamiut area and northward in 2003 to effort concentrating around sub-areas Fiskenæs-Danasdyb and FrederikshåbRavnsdyb in subsequent years (Fig. 32). In 2005 - 2006, effort has also been allocated to a fishery along the outer edges of the banks (Fyllas bank) in the northern part of Nuuk-Paamiut. In 2007 there were no landings of crab from ultimo June to mid October 2007 to the main industry component (Royal Greenland) in Paamiut. Catches in Nuuk-Paamiut offshore declined from 1,339 in 2000 to 761 tons in 2002 (Table 2 and Fig. 35). Additionally, catch level more than doubled to 1,611 tons in 2003 and further increased to 2,033 tons as effort decreased to 302 thousand trap hauls in 2005. Since catches have declined Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 18 and was in 2008 (418 tons) approx. 80% of the 2005 level and effort decrease by 85%. However, catches and effort increase again with 38% (676 tons) and 48% (89 thousand) respectively. A standardized CPUE index shown gradually increase to a level of 8.1 kg/trap in 2005 (Fig. 35), followed by a two years decrease in CPUE to 5.2 kg/trap in 2007. In 2008 CPUE increased to 7.9 kg/trap, probably as an effect of very low fishery removals that year. In 2009 CPUE remain stable (7.2 kg/trap), but preliminary and incomplete data indicate a drop to 6 kg/trap in 2010. In the previous year the fishery starts in January and has the highest catch rates from February to May. In 2009 monthly trends in commercial data generally show substantial declines in CPUE during the year, suggesting the resource is being depleted as the fishing season progresses (Fig. 36). Soak time has been quite stable and varied from approx. 60 to 77 hour per hauled trap fleet from 2000 to 2008. Average soak time has been declining in 2009 and 2010 to approx. 47 hour per hauled traps fleet (Fig. 36). Research Surveys Owing to the breakdown of the main engine at the research ship Adolf Jensen, the survey has been cancelled in 2007, 2008 and 2009. The trap survey in offshore area Nuuk – Paamiut has been successfully sustained in 2010. After a period of very low survey CPUE of legalsize males from 2002-2004, CPUE increased from 1.4 to 3.3 kg/trap in 2006 (Fig. 38). In 2010 CPUE has dropped with 40% to approx. 2kg/trap. Owing to lack of survey data previous years tends in CPUE is unknown. The average CW of legal-size males declined from approx. 120mm CW in 2003 to approx. 113mm in 2005 (Fig. 39). In 2006 the average CW was slightly higher primarily due to an increase in CW in the northern area (Godthåbsdyb). Average CW was almost unchanged and 114 mm CW in 2010. Abundance (NPUE) of adolescent males (ADO-1) 1 year from attaining legal size increased to 0.7 ADO-1/trap in 2006, after a period of decreasing values over several years to approx. 0.3 ADO1/trap in 2005 (Fig. 40). The increase was, however, almost exclusively due to a greater abundance of ADO-1 in the sub-area FiskenæsDanasdyb. There is some uncertainty; to what extent abundance of ADO-1/trap have been decline annually since 2007, but in 2010 number adolescent to enter the fishery next year is reduced to 0.3 ADO-1/trap. Thus, indications of improved recruitment in the near future appear to be limited as the abundance of adolescents is at a low level (Fig 40). Annual size distributions of male crabs in NuukPaamiut area indicate there has been some progression of adolescent males into the legalsize of the stock as the width of the modal peaks of adults have extended beyond the legal-size ( 100mm CW) and have gradually throughout the years until 2006 become broader (Fig. 41). In 2006 modal peak reached 105 mm CW whereas modal peak was reduced to 95mm CW in 2010. However, some fluctuation in the size modes between years indicate that there may be some variation in the annual catchability of crabs making it difficult to reliably compare these trends on a temporal scale. The percentage of new-shelled adult crabs decreased considerably in 2006 (42% SC1+2) in comparison to the previous year high (> 60% SC1+2) in 2005 (Fig. 42). Percentage of hard shell males with high meat contents (SC3) remain high (70%) in 2010. Also, low occurrence of new shelled adult males indicates poor recruitment to the stock. Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 19 The ratio of primiparous:multiparous females in areas of Nuuk-Paamiut (Fig. 43), suggests that major recruitment to the fishery is not forthcoming and the improved recruitment at the moment might gradually decrease in the coming years. Outlook - Offshore Nuuk-Paamiut Catches and effort increased until 2005, but catches steadily declined by 89% to 418 tons in 2008. In 2009 catches increased by approx. 40% to 676 tons while CPUE decreased from 9.17.6 kg/trap. Suvery CPUE of legal-sized crabs and a recruitment index both showed lower levels in 2010 when compared to survey indices in 2006. Due to cancelled surveys from 2007 - 2009, there is scanty fishery-independent data, to validate the exploitable biomass in this area. Recommendations for the 2010 fishery - Offshore Nuuk-Paamiut Despite a significant decline in catch level (67%) and effort from 2005 to 2009, available indices from logbooks as well as survey do not indicate significant improvement in biomass. Catches in 2011 should not exceed 1.000 tons. The recommendation is 600 tons less compared to 2010. Management area: Narsaq – Qaqortoq The historical catch, CPUE and effort data of the fishery in Narsaq-Qaqortoq inshore and offshore areas are summarized in Table 2. Fishery In 2001 catches reached 822 tons and then declined to 76 tons in 2005. No logbooks were available in that period, and therefore there is no information on effort and CPUE. From 2006 to 2008 there was no fishery in that management area. In 2009 a new industry was opened and a small fishery was introduced at 187 tons and a CPUE of 9.2 kg/trap. Narsaq-Qaqortoq Inshore and Offshore Overall catches in Narsaq-Qaqortoq decreased 6fold from 822-133 tons from 2001-2003. A fishery of 541 tons from landing data was reported for 2004 but only 34 tons of this was represented in logbooks thus giving little information on the historic geographic distribution of the fishery. From 2006 to 2008 there was no fishery in that management area. In 2009 a new industry was opened and a small fishery was introduced at 187 tons and a CPUE of 9.2 kg/trap. Preliminary catches for 2010 indicating increasing catch level and reduced CPUE. The distribution of the fishery in 2004 and 2005 suggested that reported landings and catch predominately come from inshore. In 2009 and 2010 the geographically distribution of the fishery is mainly conducted in a limit part of the entire management area. Data obtained from logbooks shown in Fig. 44, indicate that the fishery occurring in a restricted area in the northern part of Julianehåbs Bay, in the adjacent waters close to Sydproeven and in a limit part of the fjord Tesermiut close to Nanortalik. Outlook - Inshore Narsaq – Qaqortoq It is difficult to determine the biomass of the resource in the area, while data from the fishery are limited. There is no survey in the inshore area and comparative biomass and recruitment prospects are unknown. Recommendations for the 2011 fishery - Inshore Narsaq – Qaqortoq It is difficult to determine the biomass of the resource in the area, while data from the fishery are limited. There is no survey in the inshore area Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 20 and biomass and recruitment prospects are unknown. Outlook - Offshore Narsaq – Qaqortoq It is difficult to determine the biomass of the resource in the area, while data from the fishery are limited. There is no survey in the inshore area and biomass and recruitment prospects are unknown. Recommendations for the 2011 fishery - Offshore Narsaq – Qaqortoq No new data are available. Due to the lack of survey and fishery data no advice is given for Narsaq – Qaqortoq offshore. Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 21 Tables Table 2. Catches, catch rates (CPUE) and effort in management inshore and offshore areas from 20002010. *2010 data is preliminary and incomplete. Management Area Year Total catch (tons) Quota Number of issued permits Number of active vessels Inshore catch (tons) Inshore CPUE (kg/trap) Inshore effort ('000) Offshore catch (tons) Offshore CPUE (kg/trap) Offshore effort ('000) 2000 3,052 -- -- -- 2,940 4.8 613 112 5.5 20 2001 4,202 -- -- -- 3,950 3.1 1,274 252 3.6 70 Uummannaq-Diskobugt 2002 3,319 -- -- -- 2,970 3.3 900 349 3.0 116 2003 2,739 -- -- 50 2,482 3.7 679 257 2.6 97 2004 2,341 -- -- 40 2,174 3.4 632 167 3.7 45 2005 1,500 1718 43 31 1,404 3.9 363 96 4.0 24 2006 1,134 1600 43 21 1,008 4.6 221 126 6.7 19 2007 698 1530 39 17 574 4.2 138 123 5.1 24 2008 627 1400 25 8531 5.0 107 96 5.2 19 2009 657 700 22 12 471 5.1 93 186 5.5 34 2010* 217 600 19 5192 5.8 33 25 5.3 5 2000 2,534 -- -- -- 491 2.8 175 2,043 6.4 319 2001 2,602 -- -- -- 327 2.9 113 2,275 4.6 495 Sisimiut 2002 2,724 -- -- -- 473 4.6 103 2,251 3.5 643 2003 1,633 -- -- 34 692 3.7 187 941 3.1 304 2004 1,432 -- -- 19 1,111 3.9 286 321 4.9 65 2005 1,125 900 12 13 891 6.5 137 234 6.4 37 2006 736 750 12 10 725 8.3 87 11 11.1 1 2007 784 850 912 559 7.4 75 225 12.8 18 2008 979 700+300 11 12 765 8.8 87 214 13.1 16 2009 951 500+300 21 20 597 8.4 71 354 7.6 47 2010* 470 800 19 16 220 8.6 26 250 8.3 30 2000 944 -- -- -- 563 4.3 131 381 7.6 50 2001 1,835 -- -- -- 1009 3.7 273 826 5.0 165 Maniitsoq-Kangaamiut 2002 1,775 -- -- -- 1032 3.8 272 743 2.7 275 2003 485 -- -- 12 40 3.5 12 445 2.8 160 2004 116 -- -- 978 2.4 33 38 2.1 18 2005 73 200 (inshore) 12 662 4.2 15 11 3.6 3 2006 72 100(inshore)' 16 661 4.3 14 11 4.3 3 2007 187 300 11 413 2.9 5 174 10.2 17 2008 130 300 13 819 5.9 3 111 9.0 12 2009 259 250 21 11 88 6.2 14 171 5.9 29 2010* 140 300 18 2140 7.3 19 -- -- -- 2000 3,769 -- -- -- 2,430 5.3 458 1,339 5.4 248 2001 5,077 -- -- -- 4,157 5.3 784 920 3.8 242 Nuuk-Paamiut 2002 2,531 -- -- -- 1,770 2.8 632 761 2.8 272 2003 2,315 -- -- 26 704 3.4 207 1,611 4.2 385 2004 1,795 -- -- 22 180 4.5 40 1,615 8.0 203 2005 2,295 -- 26 22 262 8.0 33 2,033 6.7 302 2006 1,173 1,800 24 18 204 7.3 28 969 3.0 328 2007 521 1,600 25 10 111 7.2 15 410 7.4 56 2008 617 1,600 24 6200 7.2 28 418 9.1 46 2009 1,111 700+300 31 13 435 7.5 58 676 7.6 89 2010* 519 1,000 22 9141 7.7 18 378 7.1 53 2000 2 -- -- -- 0 -- -- 2 -- -- 2001 822 -- -- -- 822 -- -- 0 -- -- Narsaq-Qaqortoq 2002 643 -- -- -- 642 -- -- 1 -- -- 2003 133 -- -- 11 123 -- -- 10 -- -- 2004 541 -- -- 10 32 3.9 8 2 1.0 2 2005 76 -- 7 6 76 8.3 9 -- -- -- 2006 0 -- 3 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 2007 0 -- 4 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 2008 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 2009 187 ?12 5187 9.2 20 -- -- -- 2010* 273 300+150 15 6266 7.9 34 9 8.7 1 Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 22 Figures Fig 1. Map of West Greenland outlining the 6 management areas for the snow crab fishery. Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 23 Figure 2. Total catch and quota size from 1995-2010. Data from 2010 is only preliminary and imcomplete. Fig. 3. Snow crab landings in the 4 most important management areas of West Greenland 2000-2010 and used total effort. Data for 2010 are preliminary and incomplete. År 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 Total fangst og kvote ('000 tons) 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 Total quota Total catch Year 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 Total catch (tons) 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 16000 Effort ('000) 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 Disko-Uummannaq Sisimiut Maniitsoq-Kangaamiut Nuuk-Paamiut Narsaq-Kap farvel Effort Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 24 Fig. 4. Distribution of the crab fishery off West Greenland within each management area from 2003 - 2010, derived from logbook data. Lines are used to separate management areas. 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 25 LL LG LH LJ LK LS LM LN LP LR LA LB LD LE LF 13 14 1715 16 18 19 24 20 21 22 23 29 25 26 27 28 3430 31 32 33 Qeqertarsuaq Aasiaat Qasigiannguit Ilulissat 61 62 63 6465 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 76 77 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 98 99 175 176 177 178 KF KG KH KJ 14 KA KB KD KE 13 1815 16 17 19 20 21 22 Sisimiut 51 52 54 55 58 60 25 26 27 28 29 32 33 34 17 18 19 20 21 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 35 42 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 500 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 508 509 510 511 512 513 514 Fig. 5a. Map showing the location of survey stations in Disko Bay, Area 1 (North) and Area 2 (South). Fig. 5b. Map showing the location of inshore and offshore survey stations in Sisimiut. Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 32 Disko Bay - South Carapace width (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Abundance (NPUE) 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 Carapace width (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Abundance (NPUE) 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 Carapace width (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Abundance (NPUE) 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 Adolescent males Adult males 2000 2001 2002 Disko Bay - North Carapace width (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Abundance (NPUE) 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 Carapace width (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Abundance (NPUE) 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 Carapace width (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Abundance (NPUE) 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 Adolescent males Adult males 2000 2001 2002 Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 33 Disko Bay - South Carapace width (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Abundance (NPUE) 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 Carapace width (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Abundance (NPUE) 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 Carapace width (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Abundance (NPUE) 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 Adolescent males Adult males Disko Bay - North Carapace width (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Abundance (NPUE) 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 Carapace width (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Abundance (NPUE) 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 Carapace width (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Abundance (NPUE) 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 Adolescent males Adult males 2003 2004 2005 2003 2004 2005 Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 34 Disko Bay - South Carapace width (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Abundance (NPUE) 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 Carapace width (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Abundance (NPUE) 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 Disko Bay - North Carapace width (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Abundance (NPUE) 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 Carapace width (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Abundance (NPUE) 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 Carapace width (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Abundance (NPUE) 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 Adolescent males Adult males 2006 2007 2006 2007 2008 Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 35 Fig. 13. Size distribution of adolescent and adult males from survey Disko Bay South and Disko Bay North in Disko Bay from 2000-2010. Fig. 14. The percentage of shell conditions (1-5) of adult legal-sized male crabs (100mm CW) sampled in Disko Bay South and Disko Bay North, Disko Bay 1998 to 2010. Carapace width (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Abundance (NPUE) 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 Adolescent males Adult males 2010 Carapace width (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Adundance (NPUE) 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 Adolescent males Adult males 2010 Disko Bay - South Year 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 Percent (%) 0 20 40 60 80 100 Disko Bugt - North Year 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 Percent (%) 0 20 40 60 80 100 SC1 SC2 SC3 SC4 SC5 Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 36 Fig. 15. Annual trends in the ratio between primiparous and multiparous in Disko Bay South and Disko Bay North, Disko Bay 2000-2010. Disko Bay - North Year 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 Primiparous female : (primiparous + multiparous) 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 Disko Bay - South Year 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 Primiparous female : (primiparous + multiparous) 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 37 Fig. 16. The distribution and crab fishery in Sisimiut inshore and offshore in 2003 - 2010. The coastal line indicates the basisline separating the offshore from the inshore. Data from 2010 is preliminary and incomplete. 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 38 Sisimiut inshore Month 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 CPUE (kg per trap) 0 5 10 15 20 25 2007 2008 2009 2010 Fig. 17. Monthly trends in CPUE (kg per trap) from the fishery in Sisimiut inshore from 20073 to 2010. Data for 2010 is incomplete. Inshore Sisimiut Year 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 CPUE (kg/trap) 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 Total catch (tons) 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 CPUE (kg/trap) Upper confidence limit Lower confidense limit Fig. 18. Standardised CPUE index and total catch based on logbook information inshore Sisimiut from 20002010. Data for 2010 is incomplete. Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 39 Inshore Sisimiut Year 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 GLM index soake time (hour) 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 Fig. 19. Standardised soak time index based on logbook information inshore Sisimiut from 2000-2010. Data for 2010 is incomplete. Sisimiut inshore Year 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 GLM indexCPUE (kg per trap) 0 5 10 15 20 CPUE CPUE closure/re-opening level Fig. 20. Annual trends in CPUE (kg/trap  S.E.) of legal-size males (100mm CW) from trap surveys in Sisimiut inshore from 1997 to 2010. The re-opening/closure criteria in Sisimiut inshore are indicated with a line. Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 40 Year 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 Average carapace width (mm) 110 112 114 116 118 120 Sisimiut inshore Sisimiut offshore Sisimiut - Ndr. Strømfjord Sisimiut inshore - CW in the reference period 1 Sisimiut offshore - CW in the reference period Fig. 21. Annual trends in the mean carapace width (CW) for legal-size males (100mm CW) from trap surveys in Sisimiut inshore (1997-2010) and Sisimiut offshore (1999–2010). The mean CW for the reference period (1999-2002) in Sisimiut inshore and (2000–2003) in Sisimiut offshore is indicated with a line. Year 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 Abundance (NPUE) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ADO1: 82.2 - 100 mm CW NPUE of ADO-1 closure/re-opening level Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 41 Fig. 22. Annual trends in the abundance NPUE (No. crabs per trap  S.E) of adolescent males (ADO-1: 82.2100mm CW) expected to recruit to the fishery the following year in Sisimiut inshore areas from 2000 to 2010. The re-opening/closure criteria in Sisimiut inshore are indicated with a line. Sisimiut inshore Carapace width (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Adundance (NPUE) 0 1 2 3 4 5 Carapace width (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Abundance (mm) 0 1 2 3 4 5 Carapace width (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Abundance (mm) 0 1 2 3 4 5 Adolescent males Adult males Sisimiut offshore Carapace width (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Abundance (NPUE) 0 1 2 3 4 5 Carapace width (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Abundance (NPUE) 0 1 2 3 4 5 Carapace widht (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Abundance (NPUE) 0 1 2 3 4 5 Adolescent males Adult males 2000 2001 2002 2000 2001 2002 Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 48 Year 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 Abundance (NPUE) 0 2 4 6 8 ADO1: 82.2 - 100 mm CW NPUE of ADO-1 closure/re-opening level Fig. 30. Annual trends in the abundance NPUE (No. crabs per trap  S.E) of adolescent males (ADO-1: 82.2100mm CW) expected to recruit to the fishery the following year in Sisimiut offshore areas from 2000 to 2010. The re-opening/closure criteria in Sisimiut offshore are indicated with a line. Year 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 Primiparous: (Primiparous + Multiparous) female 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 Fig. 31. Annual trends in the ratio between primiparous and multiparous females in Sisimiut offshore from 2000 to 2010. Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 49 Fig. 32. The distribution and crab fishery in Nuuk - Paamiut inshore and offshore in 2003 - 2010. The coastal line indicates the basisline separating the offshore from the inshore. Data from 2010 is preliminary and incomplete. 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 50 Inshore Nuuk - Paamiut Year 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 CPUE (kg/trap) 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 Total catch (tons) 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 CPUE (kg/trap) Lower confidence limits Upper confidence limits Total catch Fig. 33. Standardised CPUE index and total catch based on logbook information inshore Nuuk - Paamiut from 1999-2010. Data for 2010 is incomplete. Inshore Nuuk - Paamiut Year 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 GLM index soake time (hour) 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 lsmeans fishtime Upper confidence limits Lower condfidence limits Fig. 34. Standardised soak time index based on logbook information inshore Nuuk - Paamiut from 19992010. Data for 2010 is incomplete. Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 51 Offshore Nuuk - Paamiut Year 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 CPUE (kg/trap) 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 Total catch (tons) 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 CPUE (kg/trap) Lower confidence limits Upper confidence limits Total catch Fig. 35. Standardised CPUE index and total catch based on logbook information offshore Nuuk - Paamiut from 1999-2010. Data for 2010 is incomplete. Month 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 CPUE (kg per trap) 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 2007 2008 2009 2010 Fig. 36. Monthly trends in CPUE (kg per trap) from the fishery in Nuuk-Paamiut offshore from 2003 to 2010. Data for 2010 is incomplete. Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 52 Offshore Nuuk - Paamiut Year 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 GLM index soake time (hour) 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 lsmeans fishtime Lover conficence limits Upper confidence limits Fig. 37. Standardised soak time index based on logbook information offshore Nuuk - Paamiut from 19992010. Data for 2010 is incomplete. Year 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 CPUE (kg per trap) 0 1 2 3 4 Fig. 38. Annual trends in the CPUE (kg/trap  S.E.) of legal-size males ( 100mm CW) from the offshore trap surveys in Nuuk-Paamiut 2002-2010. Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 53 Year 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 Average carapace witdh (mm) 112 114 116 118 120 122 124 126 Fig. 39. Annual trends in the mean carapace width (mm.) of legal-size males (100mm CW) from offshore trap surveys in Nuuk-Paamiut 2002-2010. Nuuk - Paamiut offshore Year 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 Abundance (NPUE) 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 ADO-1: 82.2 - 100 mm CW Fig. 40. Annual trends in the NPUE (No. of crabs per trap  S.E.) of adolescent males (ADO-1 (82.2-100mm CW expected to recruit to the fishery in 1 years in Nuuk-Paamiut from 2002-2010. Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 54 Nuuk Paamiut offshore Carapace width (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Abundance (NPUE) 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 Carapace width (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Adundance NPUE 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 Carapace width (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Abundance (NPUE) 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 Adolenscent males Adult males Nuuk Paamiut offshore Carapace width (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Abundance (NPUE) 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 Carapace width (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Abundance (NPUE) 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 Carapace width (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Abundance (NPUE) 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 Adolescent males Adult males 2001 2004 2002 2005 20062003 Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 55 Fig. 41. Size distribution of adolescent and adult male snow crabs from 2002-2006 derived from survey data from the Nuuk-Paamiut management area. SC1 - Soft new shell, low meat contents SC2 - Hard new shell, low meat contents SC3 - Hard shell, high meat contents SC4 - Old hard shell, high meat contents SC5 - Very old shell, grave yard crabs Fig. 42. The frequency (%) of shell condition (1-5) of legal-size adult males ( 100mm CW) from 2002-2010 in Nuuk-Paamiut offshore. Nuuk - Paamiut offshore Carapace width (mm) 020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Abundance (NPUE) 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 Adolescent males Adult males 2010 Year 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 Percent (%) 0 20 40 60 80 100 Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 56 Year 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 Primiparous: (Primiparous + Multiparous) female 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 Fig. 43. The ratio between primiparous and multiparous females from offshore trap surveys Nuuk – Paamiut offshore 2001 – 2010. Fig. 44. The distribution and crab fishery in Narsaq – Kap farvel inshore and offshore in 2009 - 2010. The coastal line indicates the basisline separating the offshore from the inshore. Data from 2010 is preliminary and incomplete. 2009 2010 Snow crab stock status and advisory report 2011 57 Month 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 CPUE (kg per trap) 4 6 8 10 12 14 2009 2010 Fig. 45. Monthly trends in CPUE (kg per trap) from the fishery in Narsaq – Kap farvel indhore from 2009 to 2010. Data for 2010 is incomplete.