Terms of Reference

Update for Scallop Fishery Area/Time Closure to Reduce Yellowtail Flounder By-catch on Georges Bank in 2014

Regional Science Response Process – Maritimes Region

May 5, 2014
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Chairperson: Christie Whelan

Context

To limit the bycatch of yellowtail flounder in the offshore scallop fishery and minimize disturbance to the spawning aggregations, an area of Georges Bank is annually closed to the scallop fishery.  As an update to the 2013 report on the scallop fishery area/time closure to reduce yellowtail flounder by-catch on Georges Bank, DFO FAM requested that DFO Maritimes Science provide advice on yellowtail flounder distribution, particularly during spawning season.

Objectives

The objective of the SRP is to provide science advice on the following question:

• What does a review of 5Z yellowtail flounder distribution, particularly during spawning, reveal about the spatial and temporal trends of the species and its overlap with the offshore scallop fishery?

Expected Publication

• CSAS Science Response

Participation

• DFO Science Branch
• DFO Resource Management