DFO releases latest snow crab assessemnt results

Earlier this week DFO released the latest stock assessment update for snow crab fishery.

Biomass levels are at the highest levels seen in decades in the 3LNO region. There appears to be scope for growth.

In 3L there are continued high catch rates that held steady throughout the fishing season.

Crab in 3Ps remained in the healthy zone of the PA framework, but catch rates declined and the full allocation was not landed in 2024.

Snow crab in 3K and 2J are projected to be in the cautious zone and both regions are struggling against high levels of predation by groundfish. While catch rates and some trap survey data were reported for 4R3Pn, there is not enough information from this region to include it in the PA framework.