Terms of Reference

A Simulation Modelling Tool to Evaluate Alternative Fishery Closure Network Designs for Shallow-water Benthic Invertebrates in British Columbia

Regional Peer Review - Pacific Region

October 23-24, 2013
Nanaimo, British Columbia

Chairperson: Chris Pearce

Context

The use of fishery closures is a component of the management strategy for the commercial sea cucumber (Parastichopus californicus) fishery (DFO 2011, DFO 2012). Of the many benefits that may be derived from reserves, the primary purpose for existing fishery closures is to protect a portion of the P. californicus population as a safeguard against overfishing, given uncertainties in the current understanding of biology and population dynamics. 

In British Columbia, a total of 13 areas where commercial sea cucumber fishing is prohibited have been in place since 2008 (DFO 2012). To date, the number, size and location of these fishery closures have been determined using a set of arbitrary criteria developed from in-house knowledge and expertise, and includes representativeness of surrounding harvested areas, ease of definition for management purposes, size appropriate for monitoring and an arbitrary target percent of harvestable shoreline of 20% (Duprey et al. 2011).  Science advice was requested by Fisheries Management to provide a scientifically-sound and transparent process for the development of a coastwide network of fishery closures for shallow-water benthic invertebrates.

The primary goal of this work is to develop a simulation-modelling approach to evaluate alternative fishery closure network designs and fishery management scenarios for commercially-harvested low-mobility benthic invertebrates, with a particular focus on P. californicus, using specified performance indicators. Simulation results will be evaluated for their potential to provide advice on size, spacing and configuration of fishery closures in areas with limited data (e.g. on species distribution, habitat suitability and larval dispersal patterns). It is intended that the simulation tool will be flexible enough to allow its application to other fisheries for low- or no-mobility benthic invertebrate species for which fishery closures or other management measures may be defined. The specific outputs of this work will also inform current work that is underway to establish a network of MPAs in British Columbia, as per the draft Canada-BC MPA Network Strategy and ongoing marine spatial planning processes, such as the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area (PNCIMA).

Objectives

This Regional Peer Review Meeting (RPR) will review and provide advice based on the following working paper: 

Duprey, N.M.T., Finney, J., Curtis, J., Hand, C.M.  Simulation modelling tools to evaluate alternative fishery closure network designs for shallow-water benthic invertebrates in British Columbia. CSAP Working Paper 2013/P63.

The objectives of this Regional Peer Review Meeting (RPR) are to:

1. Assess the performance of the simulation tool’s ability to evaluate fishery closure network designs for sea cucumbers that vary in number, size and location, as well as under various scenarios of data availability;
2. Assess the performance of the simulation tool’s ability to evaluate alternative fishery closure network designs for sea cucumbers based on a range of performance measures and plausible commercial and First Nations fishery management scenarios.
3. Evaluate uncertainty in parameter assumptions and simulation tool results and, based on sensitivity analysis, provide recommendations for ways to reduce uncertainty;
4. Assess the applicability of the simulation tool to other low-mobility, shallow-water benthic invertebrates.
5. Provide a discussion on the suitability of proxies or alternative methods to identify candidate commercial fishery closure locations for low-mobility benthic invertebrates; and,
6. Provide recommendations for research and monitoring of biological trends to evaluate their effectiveness in achieving conservation and fishery management objectives.

Expected publications

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

Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Fisheries Management
• DFO Oceans
• DFO Habitat
• Province of BC
• Commercial and recreational fishing interests
• First Nations
• Non-government organizations
• Academia

References Cited

DFO. 2011. Assessment framework and management advice for the British Columbia giant red sea cucumber (Parastichopus californicus) fishery. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2010/080.

DFO. 2012. Pacific Region Integrated Fisheries Management Plan Sea Cucumber by dive October 1, 2012  to September 30, 2013.

Duprey, N., C. Hand, J. Lochead, and W. Hajas. 2011. Assessment Framework for Sea Cucumber (Parastichopus californicus) in British Columbia. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2010/105.