July 2015
The offshore Arctic surf clam fishery has been operating on the Scotian Shelf since 1986, and on the Grand Bank since 1989. What began as an exploratory fishery has developed into a major industry with annual sales of up to $60 million.
Surf clams are found in the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans, as well as in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In the western Atlantic, their range begins near the Strait of Belle Isle and extends south to Rhode Island. Surf clams live in ocean areas with sandy bottoms in which they can burrow, at depths from the intertidal zone to about 100 metres.
Arctic surf clams are long lived and slow growing. They can reach 170 mm across, and significant numbers of surf clams appear to reach 40 years of age. The oldest observed specimen found in Canadian waters was 92 years old on Banquereau Bank.
Arctic surf clams stand out by their bright red colour in the mantle and foot after cooking. They are popular in sushi preparations in Japan, China, and South Korea, where they are known as hokkigai.
The fishery has used large freezer processor vessels since 1992. There were three vessels active for most years, fishing on both Banquereau and Grand Bank.
Currently the fleet employs approximately 177 Atlantic Canadians, 60% of them in Newfoundland and 40% in Nova Scotia.
The combined total allowable catch (TAC) for Banquereau and Grand Bank has remained at just over 38,000 tonnes for several years, and landings have been consistent well below the TAC.
The Department has conducted stock assessments in recent years on both Banquereau and Grand Bank that show signs of a healthy, sustainable population.
The decision to increase the TAC provides an opportunity for new participants in the fishery, as well as for new approaches to management of the resource.
To safeguard the sustainability of the fishery, the Department will work with industry to set up robust scientific monitoring to detect any signs of pressure on the stock, given increased harvesting activity. A new rotating spatial approach to management, starting in 2016, will help ensure that high-density beds are not being fished faster than they can recover. All participants will be required to help contribute to the cost of managing this fishery.
News release: Fisheries and Oceans Canada Announces Increase to Arctic Surf Clam Total Allowable Catch
B-HQ-15-41(a)
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