Terms of Reference

Assessment of Bay of Fundy Scallop

Maritimes Region Science Advisory Process

9 November, 2009

Hayes Boardroom

Bedford Institute of Oceanography

Chairperson: Tana Worcester

Context

In support of the fishery for scallop in the Bay of Fundy (Scallop Production Areas [SPAs] 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6), DFO Maritimes Fisheries and Aquaculture Management Branch has asked DFO Science for an assessment of resource status and the consequences of various harvest levels for the coming fishing season.

Given that Bay of Fundy scallop have a long and well documented history of CSAS assessments, the assessment approach has been accepted in previous meetings, and the assessment results are not expected to be controversial in 2009, it was determined that a condensed Bay of Fundy scallop assessment would be conducted in 2009. This means that the assessment approach would not be reviewed this year. Instead, only the assessment results and projections will be reviewed. Background documentation will consist of the Research Document from last year and the draft Science Advisory Report for 2009.

Objectives

For each of SPAs 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6:

• Assess the overall status of the Bay of Fundy scallop stocks as of the end of 2009.
• Assess the status of scallop stocks by SPA (SPA 1A, subareas of SPA 1B, SPA 3, 4, 5, and 6), taking into account available commercial and survey information.
• Evaluate bycatch of non-scallop species during the 2009 fishery.
• Evaluate the consequences of different harvest levels during the 2009/2010 fishery on stock abundance and exploitation rate by SPA.  For SPA 1B, these consequences should be provided for subareas SFA 28C, 28D, and the rest of SPA 1B (SFA 28B minus SPA 6).
• Determine, if possible, an interim harvest level for 2010/2011.

Outputs

CSAS Science Advisory Report
CSAS Proceedings

Participation

DFO Science
DFO Fisheries and Aquaculture Management
Aboriginal communities / organizations
Provincial (NS and NB) governments
Industry