Terms of Reference

Meetings of the Regional Advisory Process for the Quebec Region on Northern Gulf Shrimp

January 27 (pm) to 28, 2009

Maurice Lamontagne Institute
850, route de la mer, Mont-Joli, Qc

Background

DFO Quebec Science Branch reviews the status of some Gulf of St. Lawrence invertebrates and groundfish stocks in support of management of the fishery. Fisheries and Aquaculture management has requested a scientific advice on  Northern Shrimp stock status in 2009.

Objectives

• Provide scientific advice on the management of the Northern shrimp fishery in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence in management units 8, 9, 10 and 12 for the 2009 fishing season. This advice shall include:
• • An assessment of the status of shrimp populations in management units 8, 9, 10 and 12, based on:
  • • commercial fishery statistics (landings, effort, CPUE) and biological data from the commercial sampling program (size frequency);
    • landing data (abundance, biomass) and biological data (size frequency) from DFO research surveys in the northern Gulf.
  • An analysis of the importance of by-catches (among others, turbot, northern cod and capelin) during the directed fishery on northern shrimp.
  • Perspectives for recruitment to the fishery and recommendations on the suitability to decrease, increase or roll over the TAC for the 2009 fishing season for each management unit.

Products

• CSAS Science Advisory Report on Northern Gulf Shrimp.
• CSAS Proceedings summarizing the discussion.

Participation

• DFO Science and Fisheries Management
• Fishing industry
• Provincial representatives
• Aboriginal Communities / Organizations