Terms of Reference

Assessment of Bay of Fundy Scallop

Regional Peer Review - Maritimes Region

13-14 November 2012
Dartmouth, NS

Chairperson: Tana Worcester

Context

In support of the fishery for scallop in the Bay of Fundy (Scallop Production Areas [SPAs] 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6), DFO Maritimes Fisheries and Aquaculture Management Branch has asked DFO Science for an assessment of resource status and the consequences of various harvest levels for the coming fishing season. The last assessment of Bay of Fundy Scallop was conducted in November 2011.

Objectives

For SPAs 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6:

• Assess the status of scallop stocks by SPA (SPA 1A, subareas of SPA 1B, SPA 3, 4, 5, and 6), taking into account available commercial and survey information.
• Evaluate the consequences of different harvest levels during the 2012/2013 fishery on stock abundance, exploitation rate, and interim harvest levels for 2013/2014 using the established reference points.

In 2012, the survey gear was changed based on recommendations from the industry. Results of the comparative survey experiment to calibrate the survey series for the gear change will be presented.

Expected Publications

• CSAS Science Advisory Report
• CSAS Proceedings
• CSAS Research Document

Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Fisheries and Aquaculture Management
• Aboriginal communities / organizations
• Provincial (NS and NB) governments
• Fishing Industry