Science Response 2020/001

Stock Status Update of 4VWX Herring for the 2018/2019 Fishing Season

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 (NAFO) Divisions 4VWX Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus) management unit in support of the 2018/2019 fishery. The last assessment of 4VWX herring stock was conducted in March 2018 (DFO 2018). The biological and fishery information of the 4VWX herring stock forms the basis for establishing harvest levels for the 2018/2019 fishery, 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.

This Science Response Report results from the Science Response Process of May 8, 2019, on the Stock Status Update of Herring in Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Fishing Area 4VWX.