Canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 11

Fisheries management

Prior to extended jurisdiction (1977) fisheries impacting this species were largely conducted by foreign fleets (USA, USSR, Japan) with relatively poor reporting of catches and few restrictions on fishing. Canadian fleets progressively replaced foreign fleets, in particularly the US fleet, in the late 1970s. Only Canadian vessels exploited this species from 1982.

There are many reports of dumping at sea and misreporting in the mid-1980s to mid-1990s, but the magnitude of this error is unknown. Many fishers argue that the discards were large relative to the total amount landed, but there were also cases of landed overages that were misreported as other species. Reported catches could be under- or over-estimates for any given year, with the bias changing almost yearly as management of the fishery experimented with different kinds of catch constraints.

The lack of confidence in the landings figures and the resulting difficulty in applying quota management for rockfish led DFO to mandate 100% dockside monitoring for all fleets exploiting groundfish in 1994 and 100% observer coverage for the trawl fleet in 1996. Observer coverage was particularly important for canary rockfish since most of the catch is from trawl vessels. Individual transferable quotas (ITQs) were introduced in 1997.

Additional management changes were introduced in 2006 in response to the problems of incidental catch in an area of high species diversity. Non-directed catch was a growing concern because the catches that exceeded allowable limits for each gear type were discarded at sea, often with high levels of mortality. Since discards were for the most part unreported, the total removals and subsequent mortality for many species of groundfish were largely unknown. As of 2006, all species were under quota and an electronic audit system was introduced on all vessels which were not required to carry observers. Using the video-based system, 10% of trips are audited to verify if logbook records are accurate and sanctions are applied if discrepancies are found. Logbooks remain the principal monitoring tool but the audit system is the “speed trap” to ensure compliance with logbook maintenance.

All monitoring measures (100% dockside monitoring, 100% observer coverage on trawl vessels, the electronic audit system) are funded by industry.

In addition to improved catch monitoring, a number of surveys have been implemented since 2000 to improve tracking of canary rockfish abundance. Large scale bottom trawl surveys have now been implemented for most of the traditional trawl areas: WCVI started in 2004; QCSd started in 2003, a revamped version for HS started in 2005 and a new survey started for the WCQCI starting in 2006. New or improved hook-and-line surveys have also been initiated. Catch composition is extensively sampled from commercial catches (landings and at-sea) as well as during surveys. In 2004, DFO obtained 74 samples of canary rockfish representing 1460 specimens.

Canary rockfish in B.C. waters is now managed as four separate stocks among approximately 70 groundfish stocks of commercial importance and over 100 more fish populations that are affected by groundfish harvesting. Since the introduction of 100% observer coverage in the trawl fleet with Individual Vessel Quotas, it is no longer possible to search for and catch canary rockfish without risking overruns in the catches of other species, and vice versa. This explains the occasional quota shortfalls in some years, as fishers sometimes must leave annual quota of canary rockfish (or other species) “in the water” owing to quota limitations on other species (or canary rockfish) (Table 2).

Of the total canary rockfish quota, 87.7% is allocated to trawl (T licence), 11.77% to outer coast hook and line rockfish fishers (ZN-outside licence), and 0.53% to halibut fishers (L-licence). Catches in the trawl fleet are constrained by annual quota divided into vessel specific quotas. Hook-and-line catches were constrained by annual quotas and trip limits. Official management plans should be examined for details on fishing regulations (http://ops.info.pac.dfo.ca/fishman/Mgmt_plans).

Groundfish catches in the recreational fishery are constrained by a bag limit (for “all rockfish” combined) which varies by area. Catches may be constrained in the First Nations’ fisheries but it would vary among First Nations.

Area specific quotas adopted by DFO have been largely based on advice provided in stock assessment documents (Table 2). Advice for data-poor species such as canary rockfish has been developed by examining historical catches and biological factors such as CPUE trends, trends in age composition, catch curve analysis, and comments from fishers (Stanley 1999). The most recent advice on this species (Stanley 1999) suggested a range of TACs from a maximum based on not exceeding historical catch levels to a minimum based on 50% of the historical level:

“... there is no massive underexploited stock of fish in the traditional grounds of 3C-5B. We see no basis for arguing for increased harvests in the traditional canary rockfish fishing grounds of Areas 3C+3D and 5A+5B….. ….We suggest that managers do not consider yields in excess of [average] historical levels for these traditional fishing areas. Therefore, maximum [defined as high risk] recommended yields for Areas 3C+3D and 5A+5B are 700 and 350 t, respectively.

 

“In view of the expected poor 1990’s’ year classes, declining U.S. populations of canary rockfish, the dependency of the age analysis on the assumption of stable recruitment and the low estimates generated by Walters and Bonfil (1999), we suggest a minimum [defined as low risk] harvest no more than 50% of the average yield. This translates to 350 t and 175 t for Areas 3C+3D and 5A+5B, respectively.”

Note that the expressions of risk were qualitative and intended to convey the uncertainty of the advice and thereby allow managers flexibility within a suggested range.

Quotas have generally been set between the “maximum” and “minimum” levels in the biological advice; for example for a range of 525-1050 t/yr recommended for areas 3C+D and 5A+B (Stanley 1999) recent quotas have ranged between 647 (1997/8) and 898 (1999/2000) t/yr with most quota levels between 700 and 800 t/yr (Table 2).

Further details on stock assessment approaches is provided under “Other stock assessments of Canadian populations”.

In summary, there has been considerable improvement in monitoring and control of harvests in the past decade, and industry is making major contributions to the fisheries management system, but management of this species is not based on an analytical risk-based assessment of harvesting strategies related to species abundance.

 

Table 2: Canary rockfish recommended harvest, quota, and catch (t), by year and management region, 1997 to 2007
Year Rec Harvest/Quota/Catch Region Total
3C+3D 5A+5B 5C+5D 5E
1997/98 Recommended HarvestFootnote a 350–525 200–400 Footnote b

(For Regions 5C+5D and 5E)
Footnote b

(For Regions 5C+5D and 5E)
550–925
1997/98 Trawl QuotaFootnote c 503 345 81

(For Regions 5C+5D and 5E)
81

(For Regions 5C+5D and 5E)
929
1997/98 Quota (HL)Footnote c Footnote e

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
Footnote e

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
Footnote e

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
Footnote e

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
Footnote e
1997/98 Catch (trawl and HL) 449 198 46 29 747
1998/99 Recommended HarvestFootnote a 350–525 200–400 Footnote b

(For Regions 5C+5D and 5E)
Footnote b

(For Regions 5C+5D and 5E)
550–925
1998/99 Trawl QuotaFootnote c 503 345 81

(For Regions 5C+5D and 5E)
81

(For Regions 5C+5D and 5E)
929
1998/99 Quota (HL)Footnote c 74

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
74

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
74

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
74

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
74
1998/99 Catch (trawl and HL) 443 302 49 20 833
1999/00 Recommended HarvestFootnote a 350–525 200–400 Footnote b

(For Regions 5C+5D and 5E)
Footnote b

(For Regions 5C+5D and 5E)
550–925
1999/00 Trawl QuotaFootnote c 499 342 80

(For Regions 5C+5D and 5E)
80

(For Regions 5C+5D and 5E)
921
1999/00 Quota (HL)Footnote c 76

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
76

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
76

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
76

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
76
1999/00 Catch (trawl and HL) 574 324 47 19 976
2000/01 Recommended HarvestFootnote d 350–700 175–350 50–150 100–200 675–1400
2000/01 Trawl QuotaFootnote c 555 277 106 159 1097
2000/01 Quota (HL)Footnote c 92

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
92

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
92

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
92

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
92
2000/01 Catch (trawl and HL) 479 227 80 27 821
2001/02 Recommended HarvestFootnote d Footnote d

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
Footnote d

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
Footnote d

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
Footnote d

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
d
2001/02 Trawl QuotaFootnote c 529 265 101 151 1046
2001/02 Quota (HL)Footnote c Footnote e

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
Footnote e

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
Footnote e

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
Footnote e

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
Footnote e
2001/02 Catch (trawl and HL) 505 239 77 20 852
2002/03 Recommended HarvestFootnote d Footnote d

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
Footnote d

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
Footnote d

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
Footnote d

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
Footnote d
2002/03 Trawl QuotaFootnote c 529 265 101 151 1046
2002/03 Quota (HL)Footnote c 140

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
140

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
140

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
140

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
140
2002/03 Catch (trawl and HL) 576 242 67 9 896
2003/04 Récolte recommandéeFootnote d Footnote d

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
Footnote d

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
Footnote d

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
Footnote d

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
Footnote d
2003/04 Trawl QuotaFootnote c 529 265 101 151 1046
2003/04 Quota (HL)Footnote c 140

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
140

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
140

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
140

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
140
2003/04 Catch (trawl and HL) 514 250 73 24 865
2004/05 Recommended HarvestFootnote d Footnote d

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
Footnote d

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
Footnote d

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
Footnote d

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
Footnote d
2004/05 Trawl QuotaFootnote c 529 265 101 151 1046
2004/05 Quota (HL)Footnote c 140

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
140

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
140

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
140

(For Regions 3C+3D, 5A+5B, 5C+5D and 5E)
140
2004/05 Catch (trawl and HL) 525 206 68 10 809

“Total” column also includes catches from unknown areas and Area 4B (Strait of Georgia). Catches do not include HL discards until 2006/7.

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