Proceedings 2019/029

Proceedings of the regional peer review on Advice on Arctic Cod (Boreogadus saida) Bycatch Limits in Northern Shrimp Fisheries in the Canadian Arctic; July 3-4, 2019

Chairperson: Eva Enders

Editor: Sheila Atchison

Summary

Incidental bycatch and discard of non-targeted species occur in many fisheries. An objective of an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management is to control incidental mortality of non-targeted species. Arctic Cod (Boreogadus saida) is a ubiquitous species occurring in a wide range of habitats in the Arctic. Given this widespread distribution and tendency to form large aggregations, it is a common bycatch species in various northern fisheries including the Northern and Striped Shrimp fisheries in the Eastern Canadian Arctic.

A regional science peer-review was held July 3-4, 2019 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to provide advice on a sustainable overall bycatch limit of Arctic Cod (in tonnes) for the Eastern and Western Assessment Zones (EAZ and WAZ) and Shrimp Fishing Area 1 as well as establishing suitable references to indicate when that mortality is unacceptable. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science was also asked to consider the current "move away" provision on commercial licenses. The meeting included participants from DFO Resource Management and Science as well as the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and the Nunavik Marine Region Wildlife Board.

This proceedings report summarizes the relevant discussions from the peer-review meeting and presents revisions to be made to the associated Research Document. The Proceedings, Science Advisory Report (SAR), and the supporting Research Document (herein reviewed as a working paper) resulting from this advisory meeting will be published on the DFO Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat Website.

Proceedings 2019/029 (PDF, 315 KB)