Estimates of biomass and potential yield for the deep-water red crab, Chaceon affinis and the toothed rock crab, Cancer bellianus (Decapoda: Brachyura) off the Azores (Mid-North Atlantic)

Abstract

Available information on the deep-water red crab, Chaceon affinis and the toothed rock crab, Cancer bellianus, resulting from exploratory research surveys and commercial fishing experiments carried out in the Azorean Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), were summarized to estimate the biomass and potential yield (Maximum Sustainable Yield – MSY) for both fishery resources. The fishery potential was estimated through empirical methods usually applied when available information is scarce in line with the precautionary approach principle. Results suggest modest MSY values (considered as precautionary Total Allowable Catch – TAC), around 2,205 t for the deep-water red crab (2,159 t year^-1 at seamounts and 46 t year^-1 at coastal areas), and 471 t for the toothed rock crab (281 t year^-1 at offshore seamounts and 189 t year^-1 at coastal areas). Considering the limited available data and high uncertainty associated with these estimations, it is suggested that only a reduced number of vessels should be allowed to fish in the aggregated areas, namely coastal and seamount areas. The exploitation of these resources should be started in a very limited way followed by an ad hoc observer programme, aiming to collect reliable data that will allow, if it is the case, to raise in the future the exploitation level in a gradual and sustainable way.