Terms of Reference

Pacific Review of Yelloweye Rockfish

Pacific Regional Advisory Meeting

September 22, 2010
Nanaimo, BC

Chairperson: Greg Workman

Background

Declines in inshore rockfish catch indices, particularly within the Strait of Georgia were first reported early on in the commercial fishery.  Inshore rockfish assessments throughout the 1990’s identified numerous symptoms of stock decline yet data sources were insufficient to set sustainable Total Allowable Catches (TACs).  Recommendations to manage rockfish across all fishery sectors and institute spatial management measures to protect a portion of the inshore rockfish population led to the development and implementation of the Rockfish Conservation Strategy (RCS) in 1999. 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) initiated action on the RCS in consultation with industry, First Nations, as well as the general public.  The RCS articulated 4 key objectives: account for all inshore rockfish catch; decrease fishing mortality; establish rockfish protection areas; and improve stock monitoring and assessment.    

In 2006 the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) requested and received from DFO a report summarizing the biology, life history, catch history and trends in yelloweye rockfish abundance.  In November 2008, COSEWIC reviewed this report and designated the species (both the inside and the outside populations) as Species of Special Concern.  Yelloweye rockfish were last assessed by DFO Science in 2001.

In support of continued implementation of the Rockfish Conservation Strategy and management of those fisheries where targeted and non-targeted catch of Yelloweye Rockfish occurs, DFO Pacific Fisheries and Aquaculture Management Branch have asked Science Branch for an assessment of resource status.

Objectives

One working paper will be reviewed at this science advisory review process:

Stock Assessment for the inside population of yelloweye rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus) in British Columbia, Canada”

Guided by the DFO Sustainable Fisheries Framework, particularly the Fishery decision-making framework incorporating the Precautionary Approach the following objectives for this assessment have been established: 

• Recommend a Limit Reference Point (LRP), an Upper Stock Reference (USR), Target Reference Point (TRP) and Removal Reference for the inside population of yelloweye rockfish;
• Assess the status of the inside stock of Yelloweye rockfish relative to the recommended limit reference points;
• Provide rationale for the recommended LRP, USR and TRP candidates if they differ from the PA default reference points;
• Evaluate the consequences varying harvest levels on future population trends.

Products

• CSAS Proceedings summarizing the subcommittee discussions of the review.
• CSAS Research Documents based on the working paper presented.
• CSAS Science Advisory Report, summarizing key conclusions and science advice. 

Participants

Participants (approx. 25) will include authors, reviewers, internal DFO representatives and invites from academia, First Nations, NGO’s and the commercial and recreational fishing industry.