Terms of Reference

Pacific Scientific Advice Review Committee (PSARC): Pacific sardine Assessment

April 2, 2009

Pacific Biological Station, Nanaimo, BC

Chairperson: Linnea Flostrand

Background

Based on historical landings, a migration rate of 10% has been applied to Pacific sardine into B.C. waters for developing harvest quotas. Results from recent trawl surveys off the west coast of Vancouver Island suggest that local abundance (or migration) may be significantly different than what has been applied in recent years.  The PSARC Pelagics Subcommittee will review a working paper that describes an approach that uses data collected from a summer west coast of Vancouver Island surface trawl survey to estimate local abundance and migration of Pacific sardine into B.C. waters. Results from the assessment may be used to provide advice on harvest levels for sardine fisheries in 2009.

Objectives

1. Peer review the draft working paper, “Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax) biomass and migration rates in British Columbia”;
2. Specifically review the methods and results from this work relative to recently applied assessment guidelines and ensure that the methods and results are scientifically sound.
3. Peer review results from the sardine biomass and migration rate estimation procedures for offering scientific advice regarding precautionary harvest levels for 2009.

Products

• CSAS Proceedings summarizing the discussion.
• CSAS Research document

Location and Date

Seminar room, Pacific Biological Station, Nanaimo, BC, April 2, 2009.

Participants

Participants (approx. 25) will include internal DFO representatives and invites from First Nations,
NGO’s and industry.