Terms of Reference

Assessment of British Columbia Pacific Cod for Hecate Strait (Area 5CD) and Queen Charlotte Sound (Area 5AB) in 2013

Regional Peer Review – Pacific Region

January 09-10, 2014
Nanaimo, British Columbia

Chairperson: Andrew Edwards

Context

Pacific Cod (Gadus macrocephalus) is a commercially important species of cod that occurs along the entire coast of British Columbia, Canada.  The majority of catches are taken in Hecate Strait (Area 5CD) and Queen Charlotte Sound (Area 5AB), where abundance is highest, although large catches have also been taken off the West Coast of Vancouver Island in the past. Pacific Cod are taken by the groundfish trawl fishery and occasionally by hook and line fisheries.

An assessment of Pacific Cod has been requested by the Fisheries Management Branch of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). Pacific Cod in Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound were last assessed in 2005. Given the apparent high productivity of Pacific Cod, updated advice has been requested to respond to changes in stock abundance in a timely manner.

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:

Assessment of Pacific Cod (Gadus macrocephalus) for Hecate Strait (5CD) and Queen Charlotte Sound (5AB) in 2013. R.E. Forrest, K.L. Rutherford, L. Lacko, A.R. Kronlund, P.J. Starr with appendix by E.K. McClelland.

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 Pacific Cod in Areas 5CD and 5AB relative to the recommended reference points.
• Provide reasons if formal assessment for any stocks is not possible.
• Evaluate the consequences of varying constant catches on future population status, providing decision tables and figures of projected biomass.
• Evaluate the performance of alternative model choices on decision-making.

Expected Publications

• CSAS Science Advisory Report
• CSAS Research Document
• CSAS Proceedings

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

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