Terms of Reference

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

February 5 to 6, 2009
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  lobster stock status in 2009.

Objectives

• Provide scientific advice on the management of lobster stocks on the North Shore and Anticosti Island (units 15, 16, 17 and 18), on Gaspésie (units 19, 20 et 21) and Îles-de-la-Madeleine (unit 22) for the fishing season 2009, 2010 and 2011. This advice shall include:
  • An assessment of the status of lobster populations, based on:
    • an update of fishery statistics (the overall geographical distribution of landings and the distribution of landings in each sector and sub-sector in certain cases):
    • an update of abundance index (CPUE, density), composition of landings (size structure and egg-bearing females, sex ratio) and harvesting rate. These index are derived from catch statistics, data from at-sea and dockside sampling,  index-fishermen and logbook. Data from a trawl survey and scuba diving are also available for the southern part of the Madgalen Islands;
  • Perspectives and/or recommendations for the next three years based on the main indicators available.

Products

• CSAS Science Advisory Report on lobster in the Quebec inshore waters.
• CSAS Proceedings summarizing the discussion.

Participation

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