Terms of Reference

Meetings of the Regional Advisory Process for the Quebec Region on Stimpson’s Surfclam in the Quebec ’s inshore waters

January 29, 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 Stimpson’s Surfclam stock status in 2009.

Objectives

• Provide scientific advice on the management of the Stimpson’s Surfclam stocks in Quebec’s inshore waters (management units 1 to 5) for the 2009 to 2011 fishing season. The advice shall include:
• • An assessment of the status of Stimpson’s surfclam populations based on:
  • • an update of fishery statistics (catches, effort, CPUE) and from biological data from commercial sampling program (size structure).
  • Perspectives on size of stocks and recommendations on TAC for the management units 1 to 5 (North Shore and Magdalen Island) for the 2009 to 2011 fishing seasons.

Products

• CSAS Science Advisory Report on Stimpson’s surfclam in the Quebec inshore waters.
• CSAS Proceedings summarizing the discussion.

Participation

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