Striped Shrimp (Pandalus montagui) in Canadian waters, Shrimp Fishing Area (SFA) 2, Demersal otter trawl

Pandalus montagui in Canadian waters, Shrimp Fishing Area 2 (SFA 2) was scored moderate to high risk. This is because the species has a relatively low maximum vulnerability score of 34/100 (Townsend, 2014), and the population trends are uncertain – either stable and fluctuating or rather declining.

The management of the Pandalus montagui fishery has been scored a very low risk. This is because management decisions are informed by an annual stock assessment and there is a comprehensive regulatory framework in place. The management measures in place adequately protect the stock from overexploitation, and regulations are enforced and independently verified.

The bycatch impact of the demersal otter trawl fishery for striped shrimp in SFA 2 has been scored a moderate risk. This is because bycatch in the demersal otter trawl fleet is negligible (<5% of total catch weight for northern and stripped shrimp combined) and all vessels in the fishery have taken steps to reduce the absolute quantity of bycatch using a Nordmore separator grate and to minimise the bycatch of threatened species through best practice.

The habitat impact of the demersal otter trawl fishery for striped shrimp in SFA 2 has been scored a moderate risk. Although demersal otter trawls interact with seabed habitat, all vessels in the fishery have taken steps to reduce their habitat impact by using appropriate gear technology and several closed areas have been established to protect sensitive seabed habitats.