Terms of Reference

Assessments of British Columbia Rock Sole and Silvergray Rockfish Stocks

Regional Peer Review – Pacific Region

November 20-22, 2013
Nanaimo, British Columbia

Chairperson: Andrew Edwards

Rock Sole Coastwide Assessment

Context

Rock Sole (Lepidopsetta spp) is a commercially important species of flatfish that occurs along the entire coast of British Columbia, Canada. Abundance is highest in Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound, which are where the majority of catches are taken. Rock Sole are primarily taken by the groundfish trawl fishery, although they are also captured by hook and line fisheries. The Fisheries Management Branch of DFO has recently requested that Rock Sole stock status be assessed relative to reference points that are consistent with the DFO Precautionary Approach (DFO 2009), and that decision tables be produced that forecast the impacts of varying harvest levels on stock status.

Assessment and harvest advice will be provided for two management areas along the British Columbia coast: Areas 5CD (Hecate Strait) and 5AB (Queen Charlotte Sound). Summaries of available data will also be presented for the other, lower-abundance management areas along the British Columbia coast. This approach is similar to the last assessment in 2005.

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:

Stock assessment and catch advice for British Columbia Rock Sole (Lepidopsetta spp.) for 2013/14, by Kendra Holt, Paul Starr, Rowan Haigh and Brian Krishka. CSAP Working Paper 2013/P24.

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 Rock Sole relative to the recommended reference points.
• Provide reasons if formal assessment is not possible.
• Evaluate the consequences of varying constant catches on future population status, providing decision tables and figures of projected biomass.

Silvergray Rockfish Coastwide Assessment

Context

Silvergray Rockfish (Sebastes brevispinis) is an important species of rockfish that is harvested commercially along the entire coast of British Columbia, Canada. There are areas of abundance for this species on the west coasts of Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii, in Dixon Entrance and in Queen Charlotte Sound. This species is almost entirely taken by the groundfish trawl fishery in a mixed species fishery that targets a range of rockfish species including, for example, Pacific Ocean Perch and Yellowmouth Rockfish. The Fisheries Management Branch of DFO has requested that the stock status for this species be assessed relative to reference points that are consistent with the DFO Precautionary Approach, and to produce decision tables that forecast the impacts of a range of harvest levels on stock status.

Harvest advice will be provided for the management areas used for Silvergray Rockfish on the British Columbia coast: Areas 3CD (west coast Vancouver Island), 5AB (Queen Charlotte Sound), 5CD (northern part of Queen Charlotte Sound, Hecate Strait and Dixon Entrance) and 5E (west coast Haida Gwaii). The stock structure will be investigated as a component of the assessment.

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:

Stock assessment and catch advice for British Columbia Silvergray Rockfish (Sebastes brevispinis) for 2013/14. Paul Starr, Chris Grandin and Rowan Haigh. CSAP Working Paper 2013/P27.

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 Silvergray Rockfish relative to the recommended reference points.
• Provide reasons if formal assessment is not possible.
• Evaluate the consequences of varying constant catches on future population status, providing decision tables and figures of projected biomass.

Expected Publications

• CSAS Science Advisory Reports (2)
• CSAS Research Documents (2)
• CSAS Proceedings (1)

Participation

• DFO (Science, Fisheries Management, Oceans, Habitat)
• Aboriginal communities
• Province of British Columbia
• External reviewers
• Industry
• Non-governmental organizations and other scientists and stakeholders.

References