Terms of Reference

Review of Assessment of Longnose Skate and Big Skate stocks in areas 4B, 3CD, 5AB and 5CDE in British Columbia

Regional Peer Review – Pacific Region

May 16, 2013
Nanaimo, British Columbia

Chairperson: Andrew Edwards

Context

Longnose skate and Big skate are targeted species of commercial importance in the Canadian Pacific groundfish hook and line fleet and trawl fleet. Although a detailed ‘Phase 0’ assessment for these two skate species was completed in 2001, a full detailed stock assessment has never been done for Pacific stocks. Updated harvest advice is required to ascertain whether current harvest levels are sustainable and compliant with the Fishery Decision-making Framework Incorporating the Precautionary Approach (DFO 2009).

These species have been identified in the Halibut Marine Stewardship Council certification process as a significant component of the Halibut fleet catch. A risk-based assessment is therefore required to maintain certification.

Objectives

Guided by the DFO Sustainable Fisheries Framework, particularly the Fishery Decision-making Framework Incorporating the Precautionary Approach (DFO 2009), meeting participants will review the working paper:

Big skate (Raja binoculata) and Longnose skate (R. rhina) stock assessments for British Columbia. King, J. Surry, M., Garcia, S. and Starr, P. CSAP Working Paper 2013/P25

The working paper will be used to provide advice with respect to the following objectives:

• Recommend reference points consistent with the DFO Precautionary Approach. Include the biological considerations and rationale used to make such a determination.
• Evaluate the current status of the Longnose and Big Skate stocks for Groundfish Management Areas 3CD (including 19 and 20 from 4B), 5AB (including 12 from 4B), the remainder of 4B (Areas 13-18) and 5CDE, relative to the recommended reference points.
• Provide reasons if formal assessment for any stocks is not possible.
• Provide trend information on catch and effort distribution by fleet, provide other rationale for delineating management areas as defined above, and provide advice regarding current trip limits.
• Evaluate the consequences of varying constant catches on future population status over ten years and over approximately one generation, providing decision tables and figures of projected biomass.

Expected Publications

• CSAS Science Advisory Reports
• CSAS Research Documents
• CSAS Proceedings

Participation

• DFO (Science, Oceans, Habitat)
• Aboriginal Communities
• Province of BC
• External Reviewers
• Industry
• Non-governmental Organizations and Other Stakeholders.

References

DFO. 2009. A fishery decision-making framework incorporating the Precautionary Approach.