Terms of Reference
Maritimes Region Science Advisory Process on Groundfish Stock Assessment: Halibut, Haddock, and Silver Hake
24-27 November, 2009
NAFO Boardroom
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Chairperson: Tana Worcester
Assessment of Atlantic Halibut on the Scotian Shelf and Southern Grand Banks (Div. 3NOPs4VWX+5Zc)
Assessment of Silver Hake on the Scotian Shelf (Div. 4VWX)
Groundfish Abundance and Biomass Trends from DFO’s Maritimes Region Summer Research Vessel Survey
Assessment of Atlantic Halibut on the Scotian Shelf and Southern Grand Banks (Div. 3NOPs4VWX+5Zc)
Context
A single management area encompassing the Scotian Shelf and southern Grand Banks (3NOPs4VWX+5Zc) has been established for Atlantic halibut on the basis of tagging experiments conducted during 1958-1973 which suggested that Atlantic halibut move extensively throughout most of the Canadian Northwest Atlantic.
Prior to 1998, the assessment of the Atlantic halibut resource was hindered by absence of a reliable time series of abundance. The annual Department of Fisheries & Oceans (DFO) summer bottom trawl survey is thought to provide information on incoming recruitment (<81 cm); however, it does not monitor the complete geographic range of the stock and lacks information on the adult (≥ 81 cm) portion of the population. In cooperation with DFO Science, the halibut industry initiated a long line survey in 1998 that catches the full size/age structure over most of the stock area. Since its implementation, halibut stock status has largely been based on this survey’s catch rate trends. A new assessment framework was developed for Atlantic halibut over a series of meetings ending in June 2009. The current assessment has been conducted using the new assessment framework.
An assessment meeting has been requested by Fisheries and Aquaculture Management to provide harvest advice in support of the 2010/2011 fishery. Specifically, the meeting will review and evaluate the biological and fishery information on 3NOPs4VWX+5Zc Atlantic halibut stock status to be used as the basis for establishing the TAC for the 2010/2011 fishery.
Objectives
The objectives of this meeting are to:
- Apply the established framework, including revisions suggested in the framework review, to report on the status of the 3NOPs4VWX+5Zc Atlantic halibut stock, updating results for the latest information from fisheries and research surveys, and characterizing the uncertainty of estimates.
- Evaluate the consequences of different harvest levels during the 2010/2011 fishery on stock abundance and exploitation rate.
Outputs
CSAS Science Advisory Report
CSAS Proceedings
CSAS Research Document
Participation
DFO Science
DFO FAM
Provincial representatives
Fishing industry
Aboriginal communities / organizations
Non-Government Organizations (NGOs)
Assessment of 4X/5Y Haddock
Context
Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) in the western Atlantic occur from Cape Hatteras to southwest Greenland. A major stock exists in the southern Scotian Shelf and Bay of Fundy area (Divisions 4X/5Y). The last assessment of the status of 4X/5Y haddock was conducted in 2006 (DFO 2006; Hurley et al. 2009). An assessment meeting has been requested by Fisheries and Aquaculture Management (FAM) to provide harvest advice in support of the 2010/2011 fishery. Specifically, the meeting will review and evaluate the biological and fishery information on 4X/5Y haddock stock status to be used as the basis for establishing the TAC for the 2010/2011 fishery. In addition, it has been requested that appropriate reference points be established for this stock.
Objectives
The objectives of this meeting are to:
- Report on the current status of 4X5Y haddock based on the latest information from fisheries and research surveys, and characterize the uncertainty of results.
- Evaluate the consequences of different harvest levels during the 2010/2011 fishery on stock abundance and exploitation rate.
- Identify appropriate reference points for 4X/5Y haddock, and evaluate the current status of haddock in relation to these reference points.
Outputs
CSAS Science Advisory Report
CSAS Proceedings
CSAS Research Document
Participation
DFO Science
DFO FAM
Provincial representatives
Fishing industry
Aboriginal communities / organizations
Non-Government Organizations (NGOs)
References
DFO. 2006. Haddock on the Southern Scotian Shelf and Bay of Fundy (Div. 4X/5Y). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2006/047.
Hurley, P.C.F., G.A.P. Black, G.A. Young, R.K. Mohn, and P.A. Comeau. 2009. Assessment of the Status of Divisions 4X5Y Haddock in 2005. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2009/024.
Assessment of Silver Hake on the Scotian Shelf (Div. 4VWX)
Context
Silver hake is a bottom dwelling member of the gadoid family, found from Cape Hatteras to the Grand Banks and Gulf of St. Lawrence. A population of silver hake occurs on the Scotian Shelf (Div. 4VWX). The last assessment of the status of Scotian Shelf silver hake was conducted in 2005 (DFO 2005; Showell et al. 2005). An assessment meeting has been requested by Fisheries and Aquaculture Management (FAM) to provide harvest advice in support of the 2010/2011 fishery; specifically, to review and evaluate the biological and fishery information on 4VWX silver hake status that would be used as the basis for establishing the TAC for the 2010/2011 fishery. It is expected that this assessment will take several meetings to complete. The first “data inputs review” meeting is to be held in November 2009.
Objectives
The objectives of the assessment are to:
- Report on the current status of 4VWX silver hake based on the latest information from fisheries and research surveys, and characterize the uncertainty of results.
- Evaluate the potential consequences of different harvest levels during the 2010/2011 fishery on stock abundance and exploitation rate.
Outputs
CSAS Science Advisory Report
CSAS Proceedings
CSAS Research Document
Participation
DFO Science and FAM
Provincial representatives
Fishing industry
Aboriginal communities / organizations
Non-Government Organizations (NGOs)
References
DFO. 2005. Silver Hake on the Scotian Shelf (Div. 4VWX). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2005/059.
Showell, M.A., G. Young, R.K. Mohn, and G.M. Fowler. 2005. Assessment of the Scotian Shelf Silver Hake Population Through 2005. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2005/084.
Groundfish Abundance and Biomass Trends from DFO’s Maritimes Region Summer Research Vessel Survey
Context
DFO has conducted summer research vessel surveys in the Maritimes Region, Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Divisions 4VWX, using a standardized protocol, since 1970. Results of these surveys provide information on trends in abundance for most groundfish species on the Scotian Shelf. While these data reflect trends in biomass and abundance and are a critical part of science-based stock assessments, a full assessment, including other sources of data, would be required to give detailed advice on potential impacts of management measures. A review the DFO Research Vessel (RV) survey information on the following list of fish stocks has been requested by Fisheries and Aquaculture Management (FAM) Branch:
Unit 3 redfish
4VW white hake
4X+5 white hake
4VW haddock
4X cod
4VWX pollock
4X+5 flatfish
4VW flatfish
Full assessments will not be conducted for these stocks in 2009. The survey information will be used by DFO Resource Management as background for discussions with various industry stakeholders on recommendations for management measures, as well as determining which stocks to request be reviewed in more detail with a full assessment in 2010.
Objectives
The objectives of this meeting are to:
- Review trends in biomass and abundance at length for Unit 3 redfish, 4VW white hake, 4X+5 white hake, 4VW haddock, 4X cod, 4VWX pollock, 4X+5 flatfish, and 4VW flatfish, focussing on trends in the most recent 5-year period.
Outputs
CSAS Science Advisory Report
CSAS Proceedings
CSAS Research Document
Participation
DFO Science
DFO FAM
Provincial representatives
Fishing industry
Aboriginal communities / organizations
Non-Government Organizations (NGOs)
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