Terms of Reference

3Ps Cod and Witch Flounder Stock Assessment

Newfoundland and Labrador Regional Peer Review Process

October 15-18, 2013
St. John’s, NL

Chairperson: Earl Dawe

Context

The status of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Subdivision 3Ps Cod was last assessed in October 2012 (DFO 2013). The main objectives were to evaluate the status of the stock and to provide scientific advice concerning conservation outcomes related to various fishery management options. The current assessment is requested by Fisheries and Aquaculture Management to provide the Minister with detailed advice on the status of the stock in order to inform the management decisions for the 2014 fishing season.

The status of the Witch Flounder stock in NAFO Subdivision 3Ps was last assessed in 2005 (DFO 2005). The current assessment is requested by Fisheries and Aquaculture Management to provide the Minister with advice that will inform the management decisions for the 2014 fishing season.

Objectives for the 3Ps Cod Assessment:

• Provide an ecosystem overview (e.g., environment, predators, prey) for the stock area.
• Assess and report on the current status of the 3Ps Cod stock. In particular, assess current spawning biomass relative to baseline conservation thresholds (Blim), total (age 3+) biomass, exploitation rate, natural mortality, total 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.
• Provide annual projections to 2016 based on the assessment of trends in the abundance index, biomass index and other stock indicators, including associated risk analyses. Specifically, these analyses will include an assessment of the trends in the stock and in the risks compared to Blim.
• 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 5000t to 15,000t, at 2500t intervals.
• Report on results of tagging and the distribution of this stock in other areas (e.g., 3L/3Pn)

Objectives for the 3Ps Witch Flounder Assessment:

• To update the status of the 3Ps Witch Flounder stock since the last assessment based on commercial landings (overall and by unit area and gear type) and updated DFO Research Vessel information for Witch Flounder (including trends in abundance, biomass, distribution and length frequency data).
• To the extent possible with available data, provide information on management options for Witch Flounder in subdivision 3Ps for 2014-2016.

Expected Publications

• Two Science Advisory Reports
• Proceedings
• Research Document(s)

Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science, Fisheries and Aquaculture Management)
• Fishing Industry
• IFREMER (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea)
• Provincial Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (DFA)
• Academia or Academics
• Aboriginal communities/organizations
• Non-government organizations

References

DFO. 2013. Stock Assessment of NAFO Subdivision 3Ps Cod. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2012/078.

DFO, 2005. Stock Assessment on Subdivision 3Ps Witch Flounder. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2005/050.