Northern Shrimp (Pandalus borealis) on Flemish Cap Surveys 2009

A stratified random bottom trawl survey on Flemish Cap was carried out from June 21st to July 20th 2009. The area surveyed was extended up to depths of 800 fathoms (1400 meters) following the same procedures as in previous years and increasing the number of hauls planned (181). A total of 178 valid hauls were made by the vessel R/V Vizconde de Eza with the usual survey gear (Lofoten), 119 up to 730 meters depth. The general indexes for shrimp were estimated taken into account the traditional swept area (strata 1-19, up to depths of 730 m) and the total area surveyed (strata 1-34, up to depths of 1400 m). From this year the strata 26 and 27 sited in the southeast of the bank with depths from 600 to 800 fathoms (1100-1400 m) will not be surveyed due to the presence in the bottoms of great quantitites of mud and sponges. The results concerning shrimp are presented and compared to those from previous years of the same series. The biomass and abundance in 2009 decreased markedly from 2008 (75% and 73% respectively). These values are next to the lowest values estimated in the beginning of the EU survey series. In the other side, as in previous years (2004-2008) the youngest specimens (age 1) didn't appear in the catches, and they were weakly presents in the small mesh size bag attached to the cod-end of the main gear, suggesting the absence of any strong year classes since 2003