Results
Based upon a qualitative evaluation of trends in stock biomass, fishing mortality proxy and recruitment. Input data are research survey indices and fishery catches.
Next full assessment is planned for 2025.
Human impactMainly fishery related mortality has been documented. Other sources (e.g. pollution, shipping, oil-industry) are considered minor.
Biological and Environmental InteractionsThe Grand Bank (3LNO) Ecosystem Production Unit (EPU) is currently experiencing low productivity conditions, with EPU biomass well below pre-collapse levels (pre-1990s). While some rebuilding was observed since the 1990s, biomass declined across multiple trophic levels and stocks after 2014, and has not yet returned to the early-mid 2010s level.
After reaching record-high conditions in 2010-2011 (warmest conditions since 1980), the bottom temperature in 3LNO had cooled down to near-normal conditions in 2014-2018 and a warming trend has been emerging since. Direct effects of temperature on shrimp distribution, recruitment, growth and survival are poorly understood.
Predation (by cod, Greenland halibut and redfish), low abundance of high energy prey (such as capelin) and environmental factors (including phytoplankton bloom dynamics) appear to be important drivers of the decline of Northern Shrimp in Divs. 2J3KL.
Fishing MortalityRecruitmentBiomass