Proceedings 2016/005

Proceedings of the Regional Assessment of Bay of Fundy Scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) in Scallop Production Areas (SPAs) 1A, 1B, and 3-6; November 17-18, 2015

Chairperson: Tara McIntyre
Editor: Kristian Curran

Summary

The Bay of Fundy scallop fishery is fished by three scallop fleets: Full Bay, Mid Bay, and Upper Bay. Full Bay license holders are permitted to fish throughout the Bay of Fundy. Mid Bay license holders have access to all areas north of the Mid Bay Line. Upper Bay license holders are restricted to the upper reaches of the Bay. In support of the fishery for scallop in the Bay of Fundy Scallop Production Areas (SPAs) 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Fisheries and Aquaculture Management Branch (Maritimes Region) asked DFO Science for an assessment of resource status and the consequences of various harvest levels to inform management measures and recommendations for the 2015/2016 fishing season. Scallop Production Area 2 is considered to be marginal habitat for scallops and is not monitored regularly; it was last assessed in 2006 and was not reported upon here. The last full assessment of Bay of Fundy Scallop in SPAs 1A, 1B, and 3-6 was conducted in November 2013. An interim assessment update for the fishery was conducted in November 2014. As part of the Regional Science Advisory Process, a meeting was held on November 17-18, 2015, at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, to assess Bay of Fundy Scallop in SPAs 1A, 1B, and 3-6. One Working Paper was reviewed at the meeting entitled ‘Scallop Production Areas in the Bay of Fundy: Stock Status for 2015 and Forecast for 2016’. Peer reviewers and meeting participants felt that the Working Paper was thorough, scientifically sound, and well done. Meeting participants reviewed the Science Advisory Report section-by-section. There was overall support for the proposed Science Advisory Report provided minor edits discussed at the meeting were adopted in the final version. The Science Advisory Report received consensus at the meeting. This Proceedings document constitutes a record of meeting discussions and conclusions.

Complete document (PDF, 145 KB)

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.