Terms of Reference

Precautionary approach reference points for Atlantic redfish (Sebastes fasciatus, Sebastes mentella) populations

Zonal Advisory Meeting

Mont-Joli, QC
October 25-27, 2011

Chairperson: Dominique Gascon

Context

The Precautionary Approach (PA) is a general philosophy to managing threats of serious or irreversible harm when there is scientific uncertainty. The application of precaution requires increased risk avoidance where there are risk of serious harm and high uncertainty. These conditions often apply in fisheries; therefore precaution should be incorporated in fisheries management. The first step in PA framework development is usually estimation of limit reference points.

Canada is committed domestically and internationally to the use of PA in managing its fisheries. Over the last few years, there have been several initiatives in Canada to define the PA in a fisheries context, to identify benchmarks that would be consistent with the approach and to apply it in fisheries management. The fundamental principles guiding this approach have been outlined in two key documents produced by DFO: 1) the Science Advisory Report 2006/023 that identifies the minimal requirements for harvesting strategies to be compliant with the PA; and 2) the 2008 Decision-Making Framework Incorporating the Precautionary Approach; a policy document to guide the incorporation of PA principles in the management of Canadian fisheries.

To be compliant with the PA, fishery management plans should include harvest strategies that are developed according to a science-based Limit Reference Point, an Upper Stock Reference Point and Removal Reference points. These points define the limits of stock status zones (i.e., Healthy, Cautious, and Critical). It is expected that the management decisions respect the actions each of the stock zones as they are described in DFO Precautionary Approach guidance referenced above.

Objectives

The key objective of the meeting is to define limit reference points, consistent with the precautionary approach, for Atlantic redfish stocks based on the best scientific information available. This information includes previous assessments, the 2011 Recovery Potential Assessment conducted on east coast redfish and information detailing PA methods applied to long-lived slow growing Sebastes-like species around the world.

Specifically, the following objectives have been set:

1. Peer review of approaches for the development of limit reference points, including:
1. Survey based methods (where appropriate data are available) and MSY-based limit point proxies
2. Production model fits and associated MSY-based point estimates
2. Define limit reference and if possible provide Science considerations for upper reference points, targets and target fishing mortalities to inform harvest control rules for the following stocks:
1. Unit 3 S. fasciatus
2. Unit 1+2 S. fasciatus
3. Divisions 2J+3K S. fasciatus
4. Unit 1+2 S. mentella
5. Divisions 2J+3K S. mentella
3. Peer review of Industry presentations, possibly on limit reference points and on a Management Strategy Evaluation.

NAFO redfish stocks will not be considered in this process.

Meeting participants who wish to table work are expected to inform the chair well in advance and provide an appropriate working document for review at least one week before the meeting.

Expected Publications

CSAS Science Advisory Report outlining the most scientifically defensible estimates of reference points for each redfish stock.
CSAS research document providing technical support for the SAR
CSAS Proceedings summarizing discussions.

Participation

DFO Science, Fisheries Management, Oceans, Habitat and species at risk, Policy and Economics
Fishing industry
Provincial representatives
External experts

This meeting will be highly technical in nature and the discussions and review will require participants that are familiar with a broad range of quantitative assessment and modeling techniques.