Fishery performance remained strong in 2000. While the volume of landings was down marginally from 1999, associated landed value reached a record of $580.7 million, driven by higher prices for crab and increased landings of shrimp. Production value remained at over $1 billion for the second consecutive year.
Shellfish
Shrimp landings increased by 18% to 76,600 tonnes in 2000 due, in part, to the opening of a 3L
fishery and subsequent increased landings by the inshore fleet (a more indepth discussion of the
shrimp fishery is
presented in the next section). Shrimp is now the largest single species harvested in terms of landed volume. Approximately 360
inshore fishers are licensed to fish this species and it is processed at 11 locations. Recent scientific evidence suggests
that the biomass remains strong.
Crab landings declined by 18% to 55,400 tonnes in 2000 as a result of lower quotas. Based on scientific evidence, quotas were cut in April 2000. Further quota reductions are possible in 2001, however, landings are still expected to be around 50,000 tonnes, well above the average of 33,000 tonnes over
the last decade.
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| Fishery Landings and Landed Values |
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| Source: Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture |
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Over 3,500 fishers in the Province hold commercial crab
licences, exploratory licences or temporary permits. In 2000, 31 plants, employing about 6,500 people, processed crab in the Province.
Groundfish
Cod landings declined to 31,000 tonnes in 2000 primarily due to a reduced quota in NAFO area 3Ps. Scientific data suggests that the 3Ps biomass may be lower than previously thought. The Fisheries Resource Conservation Council has recommended a quota of 15,000 tonnes for 2001 (down from 20,000 tonnes in 2000). The biomass for cod in other areas, such as 2J3KL, remains at historically low levels and is showing little biological evidence of recovery.
Landings of other groundfish species, including turbot, redfish and flounders, grew by 19% to 38,400 tonnes in 2000. Quota increases are in place for turbot and yellowtail flounder in 2001 given positive results from recent scientific assessments.
Pelagics
Capelin landings declined marginally in 2000 to 21,500 tonnes. Landings of other pelagics, such as herring and mackerel, increased by 20% to 20,200 tonnes.
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| Fishery section continued on next page. |
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Photo: Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Shrimp vessels at Port aux Choix |
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