Terms of Reference

Assessment of Irish Moss, Rockweed, and Kelp in Nova Scotia

Regional Peer Review – Maritimes Region

September 28, 2012
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Chairperson: Tana Worcester

Context

The two most important marine plant fisheries in Nova Scotia are those for Irish moss (Chondrus crispus) and rockweed (Ascophyllum nodosum Le Jolis). Both species are primarily harvested along the rocky shores of southwest Nova Scotia.  Occasionally, DFO marine plant harvest licenses are also issued for ‘kelp’ - a mix of brown algal species most commonly including Saccharina latissima, S. groenladica (Rosenvinge), and Laminaria digitata. Most formal stock status documentation on the seaweed harvest in Nova Scotia is at least twenty years old, so, in December 2011, Fisheries and Aquaculture Management requested an update of the stock status of commercially fished species of marine plants in the Nova Scotian portion of the Maritimes Region.

Objectives

The objectives of this meeting are to conduct a scientific review of the best available information to address the following:

• Evaluate available information to assess the status of Irish moss in Nova Scotia, including potential ecological and human impacts on these populations.
• Evaluate available information to assess the status of rockweed in Nova Scotia, including potential ecological and human impacts on these populations.
• Evaluate available information to assess the status of kelp in Nova Scotia, including the nature and extent of the kelp resource.
• Provide recommendations for management of these species in Nova Scotia.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Research Document
• Proceedings

Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Fisheries Management
• DFO Ecosystem Management
• Provincial (NB and NS) governments
• Fishing Industry
• Academics