Terms of Reference

Assessment of the lobster in the Quebec’s inshore waters

Regional Peer Review - Quebec Region

February 1-2, 2012
Mont-Joli, QC

Chairperson: Alain Fréchet

Context

Lobster fishing is practiced by over 550 fishermen in Quebec scattered along the coast of Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Gaspésie, the North Shore and Anticosti Island. The exploitation is practiced using traps in shallow water.

Quebec waters are divided into 8 fishing areas. The lobster fishery is managed by controlling the fishing effort and by escapement measures. The management strategies introduced over the last decade were developed based on the recommendations from the Fisheries Resource Conservation Council (FRCC).

At the request of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Management Branch, resource assessment is done every three years. The last lobster stock review was done in 2009. The objective of the review is to determine whether changes that have occurred in the stock status necessitate adjustments to management plans.

Objectives

Provide scientific advice on the management of lobster stocks on the North Shore and Anticosti Island (units 15, 16, 17 and 18), on Gaspésie (units 19, 20 and 21) and Îles-de-la-Madeleine (unit 22) for the fishing season 2012 to 2014. This advice shall include:

• Description of the lobster biology and its distribution in Quebec’s coastal waters;
• Description of the fishery including landings, fishing effort and management measures specific to the fishing areas;
• Description of the conservation approach used for this species;
• Analysis of abundance index (CPUE, density), and exploitation rate from fishery and survey data
• Analysis of data from the commercial at-sea and dockside sampling program;
• Validation of the proposed interim precautionary approach for lobster in Unit 22;
• Identification and prioritization of research projects to be considered for the future.
• Perspectives and/or recommendations on management measures for the 2012-2014 fishing seasons for all management units.

Expected Publications

• Three CSAS Science Advisory Reports on lobster in Iles-de-la-Madeleine (1), Gaspésie (2) and North Shore and Anticosti Island (3)
• CSAS Research document
• CSAS Proceedings summarizing discussions

Participation

• DFO Science and Fisheries Management
• Fishing industry
• Provincial representatives
• Aboriginal Communities / Organizations