Terms of Reference

Western Component Pollock Harvest Control Rule Update Report

Regional Science Response Process – Maritimes Region

December 2013
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Chairperson: Lottie Bennett

Context

In the Western Atlantic, Pollock are found from southwestern Greenland to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Important Canadian fisheries for Pollock occur on the Scotian Shelf, eastern Georges Bank and the Bay of Fundy using primarily otter trawl and gillnets, but also handlines and longlines. The faster-growing Western Component includes 4Xopqrs and Canadian portions of Area 5.

Fisheries Management and industry have recently moved towards managing Pollock in the Western Component using a risk management approach (Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE)). The Management Procedure and associated Harvest Control Rule were established in 2011 (DFO 2011).

Objectives

Provide science advice on the 2014/15 Western Component Pollock catch limit generated by the Harvest Control Rule described in the Western Component Pollock Management Strategy Evaluation (DFO 2011) using the most recent information from ongoing monitoring (DFO summer RV survey).

Expected Publications

• CSAS Science Response

Participation

• DFO Science Branch
• DFO Resource Management

References

DFO. 2011. Western Component (4Xopqrs5) Pollock Management Strategy Evaluation. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2011/054.