Terms of Reference
Stock Assessment and Management Advice for BC Pacific Herring: 2012 Status and 2013 Forecast
Regional Peer Review - Pacific Region
September 5-6, 2012
Nanaimo, BC
Chairperson: Linnea Flostrand
Context
Annually, an assessment of Pacific herring abundance and forecasts for the coming year is generated for each of the five major and two minor stocks in British Columbia, using a statistical catch–age-model. The assessment framework integrates data from sampling the population with analytical methods to model population dynamics and harvest control rule components. The annual assessment is reviewed through a Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat Regional Advisory Process (RAP) and harvest advice is provided to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Fisheries Management each fall to inform the development of the Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP).
Refinements to the herring statistical catch-age model have occurred on an ongoing basis since the earliest version (Haist and Stocker 1984), with most recent major reviews in 2008 (Christensen et al. 2009), 2011 (Martell et al. 2012), and June 2012 (Cleary et al., in prep). The 2011 revisions include first steps in moving towards compliance with DFO’s Sustainable Fisheries Framework (SFF) policy “A fishery decision-making framework incorporating the Precautionary Approach” (DFO 2009). This work, carried out by the Herring Assessment Team (DFO Science, academia and industry consultant), developed an alternate modeling framework to address some of the recommendations that have come forth at previous RAP reviews concerning model assumptions and decision rules. The most recent June 2012 meeting, “Evaluation of data and model assumptions on the calculation of management parameters using the Pacific herring assessment model”, addressed concerns that arose in September 2011, as described in the meeting Proceedings (DFO 2012).
This RAP will present 2012 biomass estimates and forecasts for the 2012/2013 fishing season. Methods reviewed and approved at the June 2012 meeting will be used in the generation and provision of science advice for September 2012. The Research Document to be presented will focus on the provision of science advice for the 2012/13 fishing season.
Objectives
- What is the estimated 2012 spawning biomass for Pacific Herring by major and minor stock assessment area?
- How are herring stocks in these areas changing over time?
- What is the forecasted spawning biomass for 2013?
- Are there any specific concerns that Fisheries Management should be aware of, and if so, what are those concerns?
The following working paper will be reviewed and form the basis for discussions and advice related to these objectives:
Stock Assessment and Management Advice for the British Columbia Herring Stocks: 2012 Assessment and 2013 Forecasts by Jaclyn Cleary, Jake Schweigert, Vivian Haist, Steven Martell (final authorship TBD). CASP Working Paper 2012/P08.
Expected publications
- CSAS Proceedings (1)
- CSAS Science Advisory Report (1)
- CSAS Research Document (1)
Participation
- DFO Science Branch
- DFO Fisheries Management Branch
- BC Provincial government representation
- Commercial and recreational fishing interests
- First Nations organizations
- Non-government organizations
- Academia
References Cited and Additional Information
DFO. 2009. A fishery decision-making framework incorporating the Precautionary Approach.
DFO. 2012. Pelagics Standing Committee reviews of: Stock assessment and management advice for the British Columbia herring stocks, 2010 assessment and 2011 forecasts, and Pacific herring biological sampling program design; September 1-2, 2010. DFO. Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Proceed. Ser. 2011/058.
Haist, V. and M. Stocker. 1984. Stock assessment for British Columbia herring in 1983 and forecasts of the potential catch in 1984. Can. MS Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 1751: 50p.
Notice
Participation to CSAS peer review meetings is by invitation only.
- Date modified: