Terms of Reference
Assessment of Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence Shrimp Stocks
Regional Peer Review - Quebec Region
January 23, 2014
Mont-Joli, Qc
Chairperson: Stéphane Plourde
Context
The Estuary and northern Gulf of St. Lawrence are divided in four shrimp fishing areas (SFA): Estuary (SFA 12), Sept-Iles (SFA 10), Anticosti (SFA 9) and Esquiman (SFA 8). Shrimp fishing is regulated by a number of management measures, including the setting of total allowable catches (TAC) in the four areas.
The key elements for the establishment of a precautionary approach (PA) were adopted in 2012. Reference points were determined and guidelines have been established to determine harvest based on the stock status main indicator and its position relative to healthy, cautious and critical zone classification.
Objectives
Provide scientific advice for the management of Northern Shrimp stocks in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence (SFA 8, 9, 10 and 12) for the 2014 fishing season. This advice shall include:
- Analysis of commercial fishery data including landings, effort, catch per unit of effort and data from the commercial sampling program;
- Data analysis of the DFO research surveys in August in the estuary and northern Gulf.
- Update of the main stocks status indicator.
- A recommendation on harvest according to PA guidelines for the 2014 fishing season.
- Comment the outlook for stock abundance.
- Estimate by-catches (among others, Redfish, Turbot, Northern Cod and Capelin) during the directed fishery on Northern Shrimp.
- Identification and prioritization of research projects to be considered for the future.
Expected Publications
- CSAS Science Advisory Report on Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence shrimp.
- CSAS Research documents
- CSAS Proceedings summarizing discussions.
Participation
- DFO Science and Fisheries Management
- Fishing industry
- Provincial representatives
- Aboriginal Communities / Organizations
Notice
Participation to CSAS peer review meetings is by invitation only.
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