Terms of Reference

Assessment of Southwest New Brunswick Ocean Quahog

Maritimes Regional Science Advisory Process

21 October 2011
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Chairperson: Tana Worcester

Context

DFO Science advice was last provided on inshore Ocean Quahog in 2005 (DFO 2005).  At this time, Resource Management wanted to know what harvest approach would be most appropriate to apply to specific areas in order to ensure long-term sustainable quahog fisheries under the auspices of a precautionary approach.  Given the low growth and recruitment rates of Ocean Quahogs, it was recommended that the Scotian Shelf quahog fisheries have some level of monitoring with a catch level set by F=0.33M  As the fishery progressed, it was suggested that estimates of virgin biomass and natural mortality would be refined, as would understanding of growth rates and age structure.  Surveys were conducted for SW New Brunswick in 2006 and 2007 under a 2006-2008 joint project agreement with industry.  It is expected that this assessment will provide information on the status of the resource in the surveyed areas and enable continued development and management of this exploratory fishery.

Objectives

• What is the biomass of the Ocean Quahog resource in the specific areas surveyed? 
• What was the bycatch of non-quahog species in the survey/fishery?
• What is the recommedned harvest level (Total Allowable Catch) for the surveyed areas based on previous DFO Science advice on Ocean Quahogs?
• Is there additional information that would suggest a different harvest level than previously recommended for Ocean Quahogs on the Scotian Shelf?

Expected Publications

• CSAS Science Advisory Report
• CSAS Research Document
• CSAS Proceedings

Participation

• Scientific experts from within DFO
• Industry knowledgeable in clam fisheries
• Fisheries managers

References

DFO. 2005. Expert Opinion on the Rationale for Harvest Advice on Ocean Quahogs (Arctica islandica). DFO Maritimes Region Expert Opinion 2005/04.