Amélioration des connaissances scientifiques sur les ressources halieutiques accessibles à la pêche à Saint-Pierre et Miquelon - Réalisations du plan d’action pour la période 2022-2025 et avis de gestion 2026

This report presents the work conducted by Ifremer in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon between 2022 and 2025, in collaboration with local authorities and industry professionals, on six major fish species with a view to the sustainable management of fishery resources. Management advices for 2026 are also included for five of these species. Atlantic halibut was the subject of a bilateral agreement concluded in 2024 with Canada, allocating 3% of the total allowable catch to the archipelago. This framework has strengthened scientific cooperation (data exchanges, participation in stock assessments), although management remains primarily based on Canadian decisions. Sea cucumbers were the scientific priority due to the rapid development of the fishery. Annual surveys combining underwater video and automated analyses have enabled the estimation of densities and supported the setting of precautionary quotas. Assessments indicate an overall satisfactory biomass, with notable interannual variability. Scallops were the subject of additional analyses, highlighting a marked decline in biomass in the transboundary zone since 2017, which justifies a cautious approach before any resumption of harvesting. Snow crab, the archipelago’s primary resource, recorded high landings over the period, with enhanced regulation of fishing effort and monitoring of catch per unit of effort in coordination with Canadian authorities. For lobster, efforts focused on organizing biometric data and deploying an acoustic telemetry program to document population movements and spatial distribution. The whelk, which was not harvested during the period, remains a potential resource under monitoring. Overall, the 2022–2025 period is characterized by the increased integration of technological tools (underwater imaging, artificial intelligence, telemetry) and the strengthening of international scientific partnerships. These advances help improve the available knowledge to support adaptive management of exploited populations, in a context of environmental variability and dependence on cross-border dynamics. This english version is an automated translation of the original report in French. Not all figures have been translated.