Terms of Reference
3Ps Cod and Thorny Skate Stock Assessment
Newfoundland and Labrador Regional Peer Review Process
October 9-12, 2012
St. John's, NL
Chairpersons: Robin Anderson, Subdivision 3Ps Cod, and Karen Dwyer, Subdivision 3Ps Thorny Skate
Context
The status of Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Subdivision 3Ps Cod was last assessed in October 2011 (DFO 2012a). In June 2012, a Science Special Response Process was held on the approaches for evaluating the proposed 3Ps Cod conservation plan and rebuilding strategy (DFO 2012b). The current assessment is requested by Fisheries and Aquaculture Management to provide the Minister with detailed advice on the status of the stock and the implications of a possible Cod fishery on this stock in 2013/14.
The status of Subdivision 3Ps Thorny Skate was last assessed by DFO NL Region in 2003 (DFO 2003). An assessment of Thorny Skate in NAFO Divisions 3LNO and Subdivisions 3Ps was completed in 2012 (Simpson and Miri 2012). The current assessment is requested by Fisheries and Aquaculture Management to provide the Minister with advice that will inform the management decisions for the 2013 fishing season.
Objectives for the 3Ps Cod Assessment:
- Assess and report on the current status of the 3Ps Cod stock. In particular, assess current spawning biomass, total (age 3+) biomass, exploitation rate, natural mortality and biological characteristics (including age composition, size at age, age at maturity, and distribution). Describe these variables in relation to historic observations.
- Further to the previous assessment, analyze recent year class strength relative to previous observations, as it relates to long term growth and sustainability of the stock.
- To the extent possible with available information, provide information on the strengths of year-classes expected to enter the exploitable populations in the next 1-3 years.
- Highlight major sources of uncertainty in the assessment, and where appropriate, consider alternative analytical formulations of the assessment.
- Assess the implications on the stock of fishery removals ranging from 5000 t to 15,000 t, at 2500 t intervals.
- Report on results of tagging and the distribution of this stock in other areas (eg., 3L/3Pn).
Objectives for the 3Ps Thorny Skate Assessment:
Provide scientific advice on Thorny Skate stock status to determine the total allowable catch in NAFO Subdivision 3Ps for 2013 fishing season. This advice shall include:
- Conclusions of an assessment of the skate stock based on:
- commercial fishery statistics following the 2011 season (overall landing distribution, breakdown by fishing gear, yields and catch rates) and biological data resulting from the commercial sampling program (size structure);
- historical data from the DFO research survey up to 2012 (abundance index, biomass, recruitment, size structure and geographical distribution of catches);
- trends of abundance index and other available stock indicators (fishery, biology, etc.).
- Identification of indicators to follow the stocks status during the years without a formal stock assessment.
- Perspectives for 2013 based on available indicators.
Expected Publications
- Two Science Advisory Reports (SARs)
- Proceedings
- Research Document(s)
Participation:
- DFO Science NL Region
- DFO Fisheries and Aquaculture Management
- Fishing Industry
- Provincial Department of Aquaculture (DFA)
- Aboriginal Organizations
- Non-governmental organizations
- Academia
References
Simpson, M.R. and C.M. Miri. 2012. Assessment of Thorny Skate (Amblyraja radiata Donovan, 1808) in NAFO Divisions 3LNO and Subdivision 3Ps. NAFO DRAFT SCR Doc. 12/28, Serial No. N6054, 32 p.
Notice
Participation to CSAS peer review meetings is by invitation only.
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