Terms of Reference

Assessment Protocol for Commercial Harvest of Pacific Oyster (Crassostrea gigas) in British Columbia

Regional Peer Review Meeting- Pacific Region

December 4, 2012
Nanaimo, British Columbia

Chairperson: Nick Duprey

Context

Since 1912, the wild oyster (Crassostrea gigas) fishery has been managed by the Province of British Columbia (BC). As a result of the Hinkson court decision in February 2009 the responsibility for the management of the wild oyster fishery was transferred from the province of BC to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) in January 2012. Future fishing opportunities will be dependent upon the development of assessment protocols capable of providing estimates of stock status, thus allowing DFO to establish sustainable science-based quotas. These protocols will be used by industry or contracted third parties to conduct surveys, collect data, and complete data analyses.

Objectives

The objective of the Research Document and Science Advisory Report is to develop new stock assessment protocols and methodologies for assessing wild oyster populations.

The following working paper will be reviewed to provide the basis for discussion and advice:

Assessment Protocol for the Commercial Harvest of Pacific Oysters (Crassostrea gigas) in British Columbia. Norgard, T., Gillespie, G. and Bigg, M. CSAP Working Paper 2012/P34.

Expected Publications

• CSAS Research Document (1)
• CSAS Science Advisory Report (1)
• CSAS Proceedings (1)

Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Fisheries Management
• DFO Aquaculture Management
• DFO Fish Protection
• Province of BC
• Commercial and recreational fishing interests
• First Nations
• Academia