Proceedings 2016/004
Proceedings of the Pacific regional peer review of a Simulation Modelling Tool to Evaluate Alternative Fishery Closure Network Designs for Shallow-water Benthic Invertebrates in British Columbia; October 23-24, 2013
Chairperson: Chris Pearce
Editor: Chris Pearce
Summary
The use of fishery closures is a component of the management strategy for the commercial sea cucumber (Parastichopus californicus) fishery (DFO 2011, DFO 2012). Of the many benefits that may be derived from reserves, the primary purpose for existing fishery closures is to protect a portion of the P. californicus population as a safeguard against potential overfishing, given uncertainties in the current understanding of biology and population dynamics.
In British Columbia, a total of 13 areas where commercial sea cucumber fishing is prohibited have been in place since 2008 (DFO 2012). To date, the number, size, and location of these fishery closures have been determined using a set of arbitrary criteria developed from in-house knowledge and expertise, and includes representativeness of surrounding harvested areas, ease of definition for management purposes, size appropriate for monitoring, and an arbitrary target of including 20 percent of harvestable shoreline within these fishery closures (Duprey et al. 2011). Science advice was requested by Fisheries Management to provide a scientifically-sound and transparent process for the development of a coast-wide network of fishery closures for shallow-water benthic invertebrates.
The primary goal of this work was to develop a simulation-modelling approach to evaluate alternative fishery closure network designs and fishery management scenarios for commercially-harvested, low-mobility benthic invertebrates, with a particular focus on P. californicus, using specified performance indicators. Simulation results were evaluated for their potential to provide advice on size, spacing, and configuration of fishery closures in areas with limited data (e.g. on species distribution, habitat suitability, and larval dispersal patterns). It is intended that the simulation tool will be flexible enough to allow its application to other fisheries for low- or no-mobility benthic invertebrate species for which fishery closures or other management measures may be defined. The specific outputs of this work will also inform current work that is underway to establish a network of MPAs in British Columbia, as per the draft Canada-BC MPA Network Strategy and ongoing marine spatial planning processes, such as the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area (PNCIMA).
These Proceedings summarize the relevant discussions and key conclusions that resulted from a DFO Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) Regional Peer Review (RPR) meeting on October 23–24, 2013, at the Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo, British Columbia. A Working Paper focusing on the simulation tool was presented for peer review.
In-person participation included DFO Science and Fisheries Management staff as well as invited representatives from the Province of British Columbia, First Nations, environmental groups, and the commercial fishing sector.
The conclusions and advice resulting from this review are summarized in a Science Advisory Report along with the findings of the Research Document, both of which will be made publicly available on the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) website.
Accessibility Notice
This document is available in PDF format. If the document is not accessible to you, please contact the Secretariat to obtain another appropriate format, such as regular print, large print, Braille or audio version.
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