Terms of Reference

Assessment of the Exploratory Fishery for Sea Cucumber in Southwest New Brunswick

Maritimes Region Science Advisory Process

15 December 2008

George Needler II Boardroom Bedford Institute of Oceanography

Context

The Southwest New Brunswick (SWNB) developmental sea cucumber fishery (Figure 1) has evolved since 1999 to a Stage II Exploratory fishery with a recent five year average in landings of approximately 1,200 t. A science review has been requested of the relative sustainability risk and ecosystem effects of this fishery. Specifically, Fisheries and Aquaculture Management has asked DFO Maritimes Science: “What are the potential ecosystem (stock, habitat, and by-catch) impacts of the harvest of 1,000 - 1,300 t of sea cucumber in SWNB within the identified areas of recent fishing? Characterise and provide quantitive and/or qualitative information of the relative risk to the stock, habitat and by-catch from this harvest.”

This meeting will be the first assessment of the Stage II Exploratory sea cucumber fishery in this area, though science advice was provided on this fishery in 2006 before it moved from Stage I Experimental to Stage II (DFO 2006). In addition, a science workshop on sea cucumber was held at BIO on 17-18 June 2008.

Figure 1. Location of SWNB Sea Cucumber Inshore Fishing Areas.

Objectives

The objectives for this meeting are as follows:

• Assess the impact of the SWNB sea cucumber fishery (see Figure 1) on the sea cucumber population(s) in this area, taking into account any available commercial or survey information including:
• Catch rates
• Morphometric data
• Known life-history characteristics
• Evaluate the bycatch of non-sea cucumber species in this fishery.
• Evaluate the impacts of this fishery on benthic habitat.
• Identify research recommendations in support of a sustainable fishery.

Outputs

Participation

DFO Science
DFO Fisheries and Aquaculture Management
DFO Oceans, Habitat, and Species at Risk 
Provincial (NB) government
Industry
Knowledgeable experts

Reference

DFO. 2006. Southwest New Brunswick Sea Cucumber Fishery. Maritimes Region Science Response 2006/013.