Proceedings 2011/063

Proceedings from the National Peer Review Technical Expertise in Stock Assessment (TESA) Workshop on Stock Assessment Methods for Data Poor Species in Canada;
11-12 May, 2010

Chairpersons: R.F. Tallman and A. Cass

Summary

This report summarizes the activities and key discussions of the meeting. An exploration on how to proceed with stock assessment under data limited situations was required for many stocks where the Science Branch is expected to supply information for integrated fishery management plans. There has not previously been a review of this information across the department. Various related organisations have been undertaking reviews of a similar nature.

The meeting to review assessment in data limited fisheries took place May 11-13, 2010 at the Simon Fraser University (SFU) Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue in Vancouver, British Columbia. Participants included representatives from each region of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science and outside experts from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Wood’s Hole Oceanographic Institution, SFU and the University of British Columbia. Presentations were made of two types. Invited speakers presented reviews or methodological solutions to data limited situations. Case studies of Canadian data limited stocks were presented from the various regions of DFO. Questions and answers followed each presentation. Breakout groups were formed to consider individual case studies with the authors and develop a list of models that might be applied to the case studies or data limited situations in general. These approaches were tabulated into files with the method, the data required, and the questions addressed for each case study. The overall results were reviewed in plenary and a list of possible assessment methods compiled. There was a consensus that data limited assessment needs will continue to grow in importance, especially under an ecosystem based approach to fisheries management, species at risk concerns and the globally changing environment. Canada must look both internally and internationally to develop modeling approaches to data limited problems. Communications between laboratories both within and external to DFO will be the best way to facilitate timely development of new techniques.

This proceedings report summarizes the relevant discussions and presents the key conclusions reached at the workshop.Science advice resulting from the meeting is published in the Science Advisory Report series and the supporting data analyses are published in the Research Document series (Tallman et al. 2011).

Complete document (PDF, 128 KB)

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