Terms of Reference

Probability of Spot Prawn (Pandalus Platyceros) Stocks in High-Use Areas in British Columbia being below Spawner Index Reference Points during the Spawning Period

Science Special Response Process (SSRP) - Pacific Region

March 15th 2012
Nanaimo, British Columbia

Chairperson: Nicholas Duprey

Context

Since 2000, prawn spawner index sampling has been conducted in the fall, prior to spawning season, in ten areas subjected to prawn harvest by commercial, recreational and First Nations harvesters. The fall sampling has allowed Fisheries Management to manage the recreational fishery using the spawner index, which is the same method that is used for the commercial fishery.  Recreational closures are implemented during the spawning period, when the spawner index falls below management reference points.

The fall prawn spawner index sampling is currently funded though a time-limited Departmental relief funding program which is expected to expire in 2012 and no alternative source of funding has been identified to conduct fall sampling of prawn stocks in the high use areas. While the Department continues to explore alternative funding options to these continue surveys, a review of the 2000 to 2011 sampling results, has been requested by Fisheries Management to inform an assessment of alternative management scenarios.

Objectives

The objective of this Regional Peer Review Meeting (RPR) is to provide information to managers on the probability of prawn stocks in high use areas being below spawner index reference points during the spawning period. The following working Science Special Response will be reviewed and provide the basis for discussion and advice on the specific questions outlined below.

DFO. Probability of Spot prawn (Pandalus platyceros) stocks in high-use areas in British Columbia being below spawner index reference points during the spawning period. CSAP Working Science Special Response 2011/P62

Specific questions to be addressed:

1. Based on sampling results from 2000 to 2011 in the ten high use areas, what is the probability of prawn stocks being below spawner index reference points during the spawning period?
2. Are there area differences in probability?

Expected publications

• CSAS Science Response

Participation

• DFO Science Branch
• DFO Fisheries Management Branch
• Pacific Prawn Fishermen’s Association
• Island Marine Aquatic Working Group
• Nuu-chah-nulth (Uu-a-thluk)
• Sport Fishing Advisory Board