| Summary: | This document updates some of the indices for northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) harvested within NAFO Divisions 3M. The assessment for this resource was completed, within Scientific Council during autumn 2009. The indices of biomass in the July 2009 survey showed a sharp decline, confirming recent downward trends, even though the levels of exploitation have been low since 2005. The estimate of stock size was below Blim and it has entered the collapse zone defined by the NAFO PA framework, and recruitment prospects remained poor. Therefore, Scientific Council recommended that the fishing mortality for 2010 and 2011 be set as close to zero as possible. The catch table (to September 2010) and biomass estimates (EU survey summer 1988-2010) are updated within this report. Preliminary data indicate that 5286 t of shrimp was taken in 2009 against an annual TAC of between 18000 and 27000 tons. In the 2010 EU survey the 3M total and female biomass index was 4894 and 3819 t respectively. These indexes were 75% higher than last year and although they were still low compared to historical average they are now above Blim. This new situation makes necessary the revision of the recommendation carried out within Scientific Council during autumn 2009.
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