Terms of Reference

National Science Advisory Meeting on the Potential Impacts of Fishing Gears (excluding trawls and dredges) on Marine Habitats and Communities

11-14 January, 2010
Ottawa, Ontario

Chairperson: Jake Rice

Context

Canada is committed both domestically and internationally to conserving, managing, and exploiting fish stocks in a sustainable manner.  In December 2006, Canada endorsed Resolution 61/105 of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) which calls on States to directly or through regional fisheries management organizations and arrangements, apply the precautionary approach and ecosystem approach in order to sustainably manage fish stocks and protect vulnerable marine ecosystems.  In addition, at the 9^th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)in March 2008, Decision IX/20 was adopted, and endorsed by Canada, to address issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction. 

In response to international commitments, Canada is domestically implementing the Sustainable Fisheries Framework (SFF) which aims to ensure that fisheries are environmentally sustainable while supporting economic prosperity.  The SFF incorporates the precautionary and ecosystem approaches into fisheries management decisions to ensure continued health and productivity of Canada’s fisheries and healthy fish stocks, while protecting biodiversity and fisheries habitat.

In advancing Canada’s domestic and international commitments to sustainably manage fish stocks and protect aquatic habitats, a scientific peer-review of the available scientific information related to fishing gears and their potential impacts on marine biodiversity and habitats is required. A Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) peer-review process to examine the impacts of trawl gears and scallop dredges was held in March 2006 and resulted in a Science Advisory Report. An additional science advisory process will convene in Ottawa on January 11-14, 2010 to examine the impacts of other fishing gears (excluding trawls and dredges), to assemble available information on their uses, and to provide scientifically-based conclusions and advice regarding their potential impact on biodiversity and marine habitats. 

Objectives

Two primary working papers will be considered at this science advisory process. They are:

1. Impacts of Fishing Gears other than Bottom Trawls, Dredges, Gillnets and Longlines on Aquatic Biodiversity and Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (World Fisheries Trust, 2009); and
2. Impacts of Longline and Gillnet Fisheries on Aquatic Biodiversity and Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (World Fisheries Trust, 2009).

   Additional working papers relevant to the issues will also be considered.  Titles should be submitted by November 27, 2009.

The workshop participants will discuss the following questions:

1. Do the primary working papers provide comprehensive coverage of the topic and is treatment of the information balanced?
2. Is there any other relevant scientific information or literature available that has not been considered in the primary working papers?

In addition, the workshop participants will intend to fulfill the following objectives:

1. Conduct a peer review of the information on gear types discussed in the primary working papers;
2. Consider any relevant additional information and/or literature brought forward; and
3. Identify and provide scientifically-based conclusions and recommendations on: i) the potential impact on marine habitats and biodiversity of the various gear types reviewed, and ii) appropriate potential mitigation and/or management measures to reduce identified impact(s).

Outputs

Outputs from the meeting will include a CSAS Science Advisory Report, CSAS Research Documents based on the working papers presented and CSAS Proceedings to document the discussions of the meeting.

Participation

This science advisory process will follow the standard CSAS National Advisory Process (NAP), and will include experts from DFO Science and other sectors of the Department, as well as a broad range of invited external participants with relevant knowledge (e.g. fishing industry stakeholders, academia, non-governmental organizations, etc.).