FFAW Still Concerned Over Precautionary Approach Framework
For the third year in succession, scientists at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) are painting a somewhat bright, yet cautious, picture for snow crab stocks off Newfoundland and Labrador.
At the recent 2020 annual snow crab technical meeting, DFO reported that despite some stock increases, the overall exploitable biomass remained near historic lows in 2019, but noted that there are some positive signs for future recruitment.
“There are indications that several ecosystem-related factors may be encouraging both short and long-term growth of the stock, including cool water temperatures and a decline in predation. Recruitment — the number of new-shelled crab becoming available to the fishery — is expected to increase over the next two to four years in most assessment divisions due to these recent favourable ecosystem-related factors and increasing numbers of young, pre-recruitment-sized crab,” DFO outlined in the stock report.
DFO scientists say they are still concerned about the fate of the stock because while the overall exploitable biomass has increased over the past two years, it remains near its lowest levels recorded since the mid-1990s. Fishery landings have declined to their lowest level in 25 years (26,400 tonnes), reflecting decreasing total allowable catches (TACs). Only 3Ps (South Coast) experienced increased landings in recent years. Snow crab landings most recently peaked at 53,500 tonnes in 2009.
However, as for an overall stock status, DFO stated that in 2020, all assessment divisions (ADs) are projected to be in the provisional cautious zone of the science proposed Precautionary Approach Framework, with the exception of AD 3LNO, which is projected to be in the provisional healthy zone.
2019 stock status
2HJ: Both the exploitable biomass and recruitment indices have changed little during the past 15 years. Surveys suggest recruitment will be unchanged in 2020.
3K: Exploitable biomass and recruitment indices increased in 2019.
3L inshore: Exploitable biomass is severely depleted. The exploitable biomass index remained near a time-series low in 2019. Recruitment steadily declined to a time-series low in 2017 and in 2019 remained near the lowest levels. Localized improvements in biomass available to the fishery in crab management areas could occur within the next two years.
3LNO offshore: The exploitable biomass and recruitment indices showed an increase in 2019 nearing time series averages.
3Ps: The exploitable biomass index was at a time-series low in 2016, but improved during the past three years. The recruitment indices suggests an increase in the exploitable biomass throughout the major fishing grounds.
4R3Pn: Exploitable biomass and recruitment indices declined to time series lows in recent years, but increased slightly in the last two years, reflecting localized improvements in crab management areas 12C and 12EF.
The union representing crab harvesters in Newfoundland and Labrador says it is cautiously optimistic following an overall positive assessment update by DFO.
“The majority of the province, particularly 3K, 3LNO and 3Ps show increases to the fishable biomass, which is welcomed news to harvesters who have experienced significant quota reductions in recent years. At the same time, it is a slightly less positive picture in 2J and some parts of 3L inshore,” the FFAW-Unifor stated in a press release.
“Harvesters and scientists were in agreement when it came to the positive outlook for snow crab in 3K,” said La Scie harvester Trevor Jones, who attended the assessment with six other harvesters.
“We are certainly hopeful this stock assessment is a snapshot of what’s to come in regard to the stabilization of the stock and increasing crab biomass. However, harvesters still have significant concerns surrounding the proposed Precautionary Approach framework and DFO’s lack of consideration for the knowledge of fish harvesters,” said Keith Sullivan, FFAW-Unifor President.
The union said harvesters have been assured that last year’s controversial proposed Precautionary Approach (PA) Framework will not be used in management decisions. However, harvesters are concerned that despite industry disagreement with DFO’s proposed PA, it was again used to describe stock status.
Nelson Bussey, FFAW-Unifor Executive Board member and 3L crab harvester attended the assessment. Bussey said of the assessment update, “It is encouraging to see positive signals in most crab areas, but we still have serious concerns with DFO’s proposed PA because it is not consistent with the history of the stock. Under the DFO framework, areas such as 3K would have never been considered healthy over the history of the fishery.”
“I’m looking forward to another great year of snow crab in 3Ps, hopefully with an increase in quota in our area based on the results of the science assessment,” says Brian Careen, harvester from St. Brides. “But after attending the meetings with DFO Science last week, I am not impressed with the Precautionary Approach being used to describe stock status despite harvesters’ unanimous opposition,” Careen added.
In response to DFO’s proposed PA, FFAW-Unifor scientists are developing a new proposed PA in close collaboration with crab harvesters. DFO has begun the process of evaluating the new proposed PA, which will be subject to the same review process as DFO’s own crab PA.
“We are working to come up with an approach that works for DFO Science and also works for harvesters. We can’t repeat the mistakes of the past by ignoring harvester knowledge and excluding them from this process. With harvesters and scientists working together, we can build a management plan for a sustainable — and profitable — fishery,” says Sullivan.
Last year, in the wake of protests and a public outcry over rumours of a possible 30 per cent quota reduction, or higher, the 2019 Newfoundland snow crab fishery only received a nine per cent overall cut after all.
The total allowable catch (TAC) for Newfoundland and Labrador Region in 2019 was set at 26,894 tonnes, an overall quota level decrease of nine per cent from 2018 (29,390 tonnes). This included no change in 2HJ, a one per cent decrease in 3K, a 16 per cent decrease in 3LNO (26 per cent in the areas outside the 200-mile limit and 15 per cent in areas inside the 200-mile limit), a 48 per cent increase in the 3Ps quota, a 39 per cent reduction in 4R3Pn.
