Terms of Reference

Science Advisory Process on Assessment and Management Strategy Framework for Banquereau Arctic Surfclam and Ocean Quahogs on Sable Bank and in St. Mary’s Bay

17 - 18 January 2007
Future Inns Dartmouth
20 Highfield Park Drive
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

and

4 - 5 April 2007
George Needler Boardroom
Bedford Institute of Oceanography
1 Challenger Drive
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Context

There has been a quota regulated fishery on Banquereau Bank Arctic surfclam since 1986, although there has not been an assessment framework developed and advice has been provided by Science to Fisheries and Aquaculture Management on an as-needed basis. A Total Allowable Catch (TAC) was established for Sable Bank ocean quahog in 2003, but this was not fished. There has been no fishery for St. Mary’s Bay ocean quahog. An Expert Opinion (EO) on the habitat implications of a Clearwater/Deep Sea Clam Ocean Quahog development proposal was produced (EO 2002/03) as was an Expert Opinion on the rationale for ocean quahog harvest advice (EO 2005/04).

Recently, in collaboration with DFO, the fishing industry initiated a survey program for the Banquereau Arctic surfclam and Sable Bank ocean quahog resources. On a five-year cycle, these banks, along with Grand Banks off Newfoundland are to be surveyed. Sable Bank was surveyed in 2003, and Banquereau Bank in 2004. Due to financial issues in 2005, no survey was conducted and the 2006 survey was conducted on the southern Grand Bank. The 2007 survey is tentatively planned for the northern Grand Bank. This initiative and signs of a potential increase in effort in the fishery is the stimulus for the current framework review.

This review will examine not only the methodology used to assess these resources but also undertake an evaluation of the management strategy. It is to be conducted over two meetings – the first (17 – 18 January 2007) to consider data inputs and the second (3 - 4 April 2007) to review the methodologies of the assessment and management strategy. The framework is intended to be applied in supporting the future management of these fisheries.

Objectives

Data Inputs (17 - 18 January 2007)

• Review the life history characteristics of each species being harvested
• Document what is known on the population structure of the species in the management units
• Review the fishery catch and by-catch estimates, including discard mortality
• Review precision and bias of current commercial sampling protocols and construction of the catch age/size including grouping and weighting of samples and catches
• Review precision and bias of aging protocols
• Review precision and bias of the industry/DFO Science research survey including
  • Survey design including survey area, sampling unit definition and allocation, and timing
  • Protocols used to estimate post-survey relative indicators of abundance and biomass
  • Estimation of survey abundance by size/age using sampling from the survey

• Review protocols to estimate growth and size at maturity
• Present a summary of previous scientific studies on the impact of clam dredging on benthic habitat
• Describe management strategy evaluation to provide context to surfclam and ocean quahog management activities

Models for Assessment and Management Strategy Evaluation (4 - 5 April 2007)

• For surfclam, determine the methodology, exploring a range of models, to estimate the current state of the management units, including determination of biological indicators and the biological consequences of different levels of these
• For surfclam, evaluate the robustness and consequences of a range of management strategies for use in decision making, including
  • methodology to provide short, medium and long-term yield forecasts
  • how to respond if and when the fishery explores new areas

• Discuss the applicability of the above methodologies to ocean quahog and other species impacted by the fishery
• Provide guidance on the assessment procedure to be used during interim years, including
  • recommended timing of subsequent reviews
  • procedures to verify the on-going efficacy of the framework

Outputs

• CSAS Science Advisory Report outlining the assessment framework and management strategy
• CSAS Proceedings of the discussion of the two meetings
• CSAS Research Documents

Participation

• DFO Science Maritimes, Newfoundland and other regions
• DFO Maritimes and Newfoundland Fisheries and Aquaculture Management
• Offshore Clam Advisory Committee
• Inshore clam industry
• Provincial representatives
• External reviewers