Terms of Reference

Assessment of the Gulf of St. Lawrence (4RST) Greenland halibut

Regional Peer Review - Quebec Region

February 26, 2013
Mont-Joli, Québec

Chairperson: Serge Gosselin

Context

The Gulf of St. Lawrence (4RST) Greenland halibut (also called black turbot, or more commonly turbot) fishery developed at the end of the 1970s. Since 1982, the Greenland halibut fishery has been managed by controlling total allowable catches (TAC). This TAC management helps limit exploitation in order to protect the population’s reproductive potential. Over the years, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has implemented other conservation measures that have helped reduce the number of immature fish caught. However, minimum biomass and maximum exploitation rates that could jeopardize the resource are unknown. Also unknown is the optimal exploitation rate which could help set precise targets.

Greenland halibut population assessment is done every two years in order to highlight changes in the status of the resource that would justify adjustments to the conservation measures and management plan.

Objectives

Provide scientific advice on Greenland halibut stock status to determine the TAC in NAFO Divisions 4RST for the 2013 and 2014 fishing season. This advice shall include:

• Conclusions of an assessment of the Greenland halibut stock based on:
  • commercial fishery statistics following the 2011 and 2012 fishing seasons (overall landing distribution, breakdown by division and 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);
  • historical data of the July mobile sentinel survey up to 2012 (abundance index, biomass, size structure and geographical distribution of catches);
  • trends of abundance index and other available stock indicators (fishery, biology, etc.).
• Specific elements concerning the development of a scientific advice, such as:
  • an update of the condition and maturity indicators;
• The identification and priorization of research projects to be considered for the future;
• The determination of indicator thresholds for the Scientific advice reopening for years without stock assessment;
• Use of the Statistical Catch at Length (SCALE) model as a potential tool for assessing the Greenland halibut population;
• Detailed analysis of catches in recent years to examine changes in fishing effort;
• Perspectives for 2013 and 2014 based on available indicators.

Expected Publications

• Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) Science Advisory Report on Greenland halibut in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (4RST);
• CSAS Proceedings summarizing the discussion.

Participation

• DFO Science and Fisheries Management
• Fishing industry
• Provincial representatives
• Aboriginal Communities / Organizations