Terms of Reference

Redbanded Rockfish (Sebastes babcocki) Stock Assessment for the Pacific Coast of Canada in 2014

Regional Peer Review – Pacific Region

December 9, 2014
Nanaimo, British Columbia

Chairpersons: Kate Rutherford

Context

Redbanded Rockfish (Sebastes babcocki) is a commercially important species of rockfish that occurs along the entire coast of British Columbia, Canada. It is equally taken by the groundfish trawl fishery and hook and line fishery (including that for Pacific Halibut). The Fisheries Management Branch of DFO has requested that the Redbanded Rockfish coastwide stock be assessed relative to reference points that are consistent with the DFO Precautionary Approach (DFO 2009), and that decision tables be produced that forecast the impacts of varying harvest levels on stock status.

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 following working paper to provide the basis for discussion and advice on the specific objectives outline below:

Edwards, A. M., R. Haigh, and P. J. Starr.  Redbanded Rockfish (Sebastes babcocki) stock assessment for the Pacific coast of Canada in 2014. CSAP Working Paper 2014-15/GF04.

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 the Redbanded Rockfish stock relative to the recommended reference points.
• Provide reasons if formal assessment is not possible.
• Evaluate the consequences of varying constant catches on future population status, providing decision tables and figures of projected biomass.

Expected Publications

• CSAS Science Advisory Reports (1)
• CSAS Research Documents (1)
• CSAS Proceedings (1)

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.