Terms of Reference

Assessment of stock status of Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) from the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (NAFO Div. 4T)

Regional Peer Review – Gulf Region

March 6-7, 2012
Moncton, New Brunswick

Chairperson: Gérald Chaput (DFO Gulf Region)

Context

In support of a request for science advice from DFO Fisheries and Aquaculture Management, DFO Gulf Science Branch will review the status of the spring and fall spawning components of the Atlantic herring stock of the of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, NAFO Division 4T. The most recent assessment and catch advice were provided in 2010 (DFO 2010).

Objectives

Assessment of the status of the spring and fall spawning components of Atlantic herring of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (NAFO Div. 4T) including:

• Information on catches to the end of 2011, including best estimates of total removals by all fisheries.
• Key indicators of stock status and trends (commercial catch rates and acoustic survey, size and/or age composition, etc.).
• Available information from resource users on recent stock status relative to historical stock levels.
• Evaluation of the appropriateness and results of the population model (Sequential Population Analysis) for spring and fall components.
• Analyses of other key stock status indicators as appropriate.
• Where possible, a quantitative risk analysis of catch options relative to the probability of meeting defined management objectives for these stocks for 2012, as well as for the combined years 2012 and 2013:
  • For limit and upper stock reference points
  • For F0.1 for the fall spawning component
  • For an increase in biomass of the spring spawning component
• Projections of the number of years for the spring biomass to be above the upper stock reference point at annual catch levels of 500, 1,000 and 1,500 t.

Expected publications

• CSAS Science Advisory Report
• CSAS Proceedings report summarizing the discussions of the science review.
• CSAS Research Document(s).

Participation

• DFO Science Branch
• Other DFO Sectors
• Provinces
• External experts (to DFO)
• Fishing industry
• Aboriginal peoples

References

DFO. 2010. Assessment of Atlantic herring in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (NAFO Div. 4T). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2010/023.