Quota estimates for the 1998 red sea urchin fishery in British Columbia / by A. Campbell, D. Bureau, and D. Brouwer.: Fs97-4/2516E-PDF

"Annual landings of red sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus franciscanus) increased rapidly in the early 1980s for the south coast of British Columbia (B.C.) and in the late 1980s for the north coast, but subsequently were reduced and stabilized by arbitrary quotas. Coastwide landings were 6272 t valued at $12.4 M (Cdn.), with 109 licenses issued during 1996. Data from harvest logbooks indicated that there were no clear trends in annual CPUE (kilogram per diver hour) over the 1984-1996 period in each statistical area or general region in B.C. Bed areas were obtained by digitizing locations on charts indicated in harvest logbooks. Analyses of recent surveys and review of published survey reports provided estimates of density and mean weights allowing preliminary estimates of red sea urchin biomass in B.C. Recent published reports on growth rates indicate red sea urchin may grow at a slower rate and that natural mortality could be lower than previously reported. Assuming natural mortality rates between 0.05 and 0.10, and with estimated biomass, preliminary quota options were calculated between 2,673 t and 5,140 t for red sea urchins in B.C. Further surveys for red sea urchin density, especially in the south coast of B.C., and more accurate estimates of red sea urchin bed areas, natural mortality and recruitment rates are required"--Abstract, page iii.

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