Proceedings 2011/053

Regional Science Advisory Process on Management procedures for the multi-gear sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) fishery in British Columbia; January 17, 2011

Chairpersons: G. Workman and M. Joyce

Summary

A regional advisory process meeting was held January 17, 2011 in Nanaimo (BC) to conduct a science peer review of the status of sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) in British Columbia. The science review was conducted in response to a request from DFO Fisheries and Aquaculture Management (FAM) for advice regarding the development of fishery reference points based on biomass at maximum sustained yield (MSY) and a harvest control role in compliance with Sustainable Fisheries Framework (SFF) policy. Advice was requested on whether mortality associated with at-sea releases compromises the achievement of fishery objectives. A request to evaluate the requirement to continue two fishery-independent trap gear surveys used in the development of harvest advice was put forward by science and the sablefish fishing industry and was included in the FAM request. Participants at the review included science staff from the DFO Pacific region, personnel from DFO FAM, and representatives from fishing industry associations, recreational fishing associations, and First Nations. Limit reference and upper stock reference points, and a target reference point that used spawning biomass at maximum sustained yield, were developed following SFF policy. The analytical approach used closed-loop simulation methods to test candidate management procedures against a suite of stock scenarios. Stock scenarios were developed using historical data to reflect uncertainty in the stock and recruitment relationship, fish growth, future recruitment patterns, and included a low productivity scenario for robustness testing. Management procedures differed in their utilization of survey data, assessment model assumptions, and harvest control rule configuration. Results were summarized in a science advisory report. A research document is expected in support of the science advisory report.

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