Science Response 2015/017

Lobster (Homarus americanus) off the Atlantic Coast of Nova Scotia (Lobster Fishing Areas 27-33): 2015 Stock Status Update

Context

The scientific basis for assessing Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs) 27-33 was last examined at a framework meeting in February 2011, followed by an assessment in July 2011. (DFO 2011, Tremblay et al. 2011, Tremblay et al. 2012b).  These processes identified three stock units: LFA 27, LFAs 28-32 and LFA 33 and tabled key indicators.  Upper stock reference points based on landings are provided in the Inshore Lobster Integrated Fisheries Management Plan.  These were modified in 2012 (DFO 2012, Tremblay et al. 2012a) and no other reference points are available currently.  Other stock references will be explored in the next framework.  As established in 2014 for LFA 34 and LFAs 35-38, this Science Response updates key abundance indicators: landings, catch rate of commercial sizes, and catch rate of sublegal sizes to the end of the 2014 fishing season (2013-14 for LFA 33). 

This Science Response Report results from the Science Response Process of February 17, 2015, on the Lobster Fishing Areas (LFA) 27-33 Lobster Stock Status Update.

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