Science Response 2017/037

Stock Status Update of 4VWX Herring

Context

Maritimes Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Resource Management has requested that DFO Science provide an update on the science advice for North Atlantic Fisheries Organization Divisions 4VWX Atlantic Herring^{Footnote 1} (Clupea harengus) management unit in support of the 2016/2017 fishery. The last assessment of 4VWX herring stock was conducted in March 2015 (DFO 2015) and an update report was completed in 2016 (DFO 2016). The biological and fishery information of the 4VWX herring stock forms the basis for establishing quota for the 2016/2017 fisheries, as required in the Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP). A review and update of biological and fishery information of the 4VWX herring stock are provided in this Science Response. It includes: an evaluation of the southwest Nova Scotia/Bay of Fundy (SWNS/BoF) spawning component; a compilation and review of information regarding the offshore Scotian Shelf spawning component and the coastal Nova Scotia (NS) spawning component; an update on southwest New Brunswick (SWNB) migrant juvenile fishery component; an evaluation of the status of the fishery with respect to the Limit Reference Point (LRP); and information about whether the goals of the rebuilding plan are being met.

This Science Response Report results from the Science Response Process of April 12, 2017, on the Stock Status Update of Herring in Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Fishing Area 4VWX.

Complete document (PDF, 1,897 KB)

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