Improving the biological understanding and management of a trap fishery in British Columbia

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A fundamental understanding of the biology of a species is both intrinsically important and vital to maintaining healthy populations under fishing pressure. This project investigates the biologically enigmatic spot prawn in British Columbia (BC) using theoretical models and field work. Spot prawns live in deep water on the sea bed off the coast of BC and begin life as males before transitioning to females for the final year or two of their life. Despite how important they are to humans as a commercial fishery, we know relatively little about their fundamental biology. This biological information is intrinsically interesting and is also imperative for fisheries management that will maintain consistent abundance of spot prawns going forwards. We will use long-term data sets, quantitative modelling techniques, and fieldwork to (1) build new tools to investigate uncertainties in spot prawn population biology, (2) learn from the current management approach in BC, and (3) identify opportunities to build resilience in the fishery in the face of a changing climate. Effective long-term fisheries management hinges on a match between management practices and biology. This research program will aim to pro-actively further our biological understanding of spot prawns and support decisions for a well-managed fishery in the future.