Terms of Reference

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

March 3, 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 whelk in the Quebec inshore waters in 2009.

Objectives

• Provide scientific advice on the management of whelk stocks in Quebec’s inshore waters (management units 1 to 15) for fishing seasons 2009 to 2011. This advice shall include:
• • An assessment of the whelk stock status based on:
  • • an update of the fishery statistics (landings, effort, CPUE);
    • commercial sampling program data (size structure);
    • data gathered during research survey in zone 1 and 2 in Upper North Shore (density, recruitment and size structure).
  • Perspectives and/or recommendations, for management units 1 to 15 for the 2009 to 2011 fishing season, based on the trends of all available indicators from fishery and research activities.

Products

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

Participation

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