Terms of Reference

3Ps and 3LNO Haddock, 3Ps Pollock, and 3Ps American Plaice Stock Assessment

Newfoundland and Labrador Regional Peer Review Process

January 29-30, 2014
St. John’s, NL

Chairperson: Ben Davis, Aquatic Resources, Science Branch, Department of Fisheries and Oceans

Context

The status of the Haddock stocks in NAFO Subdivision 3Ps and Division 3LNO were last assessed in 2005 (DFO 2005a). Subdivision 3Ps Pollock and American plaice were last assessed in 2004 (DFO 2004) and 2005 (DFO 2005b), respectively.  The current assessments are requested by Fisheries Management to provide the Minister with advice that will inform the management decisions for the 2014 fishing season.

Objectives for the 3Ps Haddock Assessment:

• Provide an ecosystem overview (e.g., environment, predators, prey) of the stock.
• Assess and report on the status of the stock based on commercial fishery statistics (overall landing distribution, breakdown by fishing gear and directed species) and biological data resulting from the commercial sampling program (size structure).
• Analyze historical data from the research surveys up to 2013 (abundance index, biomass, recruitment, size structure and geographical distribution of catches).
• Identify Blim, or a proxy for Blim, for this stock and report on the current spawning stock biomass relative to Blim.
• Identify indicators that should be evaluated during the years without a formal stock assessment.
• Perspectives for 2014 based on available indicators.

Objectives for the 3LNO Haddock Assessment:

• Provide an ecosystem overview (e.g., environment, predators, prey) of the stock.
• Assess and report on the status of the stock based on commercial fishery statistics (overall landing distribution, breakdown by fishing gear) and biological data resulting from the commercial sampling program (size structure).
• Analyze historical data from the research surveys up to 2013 (abundance index, biomass, recruitment, size structure and geographical distribution of catches).
• Identify indicators that should be evaluated during the years without a formal stock assessment.
• Perspectives for 2014 based on available indicators.

Objectives for the 3Ps Pollock Assessment:

• Provide an ecosystem overview (e.g., environment, predators, prey) of the stock.
• Assess and report on the status of the stock based on commercial fishery statistics (overall landing distribution, breakdown by fishing gear) and biological data resulting from the commercial sampling program (size structure).
• Analyze historical data from the research surveys up to 2013 (abundance index, biomass, recruitment, size structure and geographical distribution of catches).
• Identify indicators that should be evaluated during the years without a formal stock assessment.
• Perspectives for 2014 based on available indicators.

Objectives for the 3Ps American Plaice Assessment:

• Provide an ecosystem overview (e.g., environment, predators, prey) of the stock.
• Assess and report on the current status of the stock relative to Blim and Flim.
• Biological characteristics (including age composition, size at age, age at maturity, year class strength and distribution). Describe these variables in relation to historic observations.
• Evaluate the risk of being below Blim in annual projections (F=0, F current, current catch plus or minus 15%) to 2016.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Proceedings
• Research Document

Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science, Fisheries Management)
• Fishing Industry
• IFREMER (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea)
• Provincial Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (DFA)
• Academia or Academics
• Aboriginal organizations
• Non-government organizations

References

DFO, 2004. Newfoundland and Labrador Region Groundfish Stock Updates. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Stock Status Report. 2004/047.

DFO, 2005a. Stock Assessment Update on Groundfish in Newfoundland and Labrador Region. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2005/051.

DFO, 2005b. Stock Assessment on Subdivision 3Ps American plaice. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2005/048.