Terms of Reference

Stock assessment of Atlantic Surfclam of the Magdalen Islands

Regional Peer Review - Quebec Region

February 23, 2016
Mont-Joli, Québec

Chairperson: Charley Cyr

Context

In Québec, the Atlantic surfclam (Spisula solidissima) fishery is practiced exclusively in the Magdalen Islands. The fishery is conducted in two different ways, either by boat with a hydraulic dredge in coastal waters, or manually on foot or while diving in lagoons or near the coast. In addition, hand digging may be recreational or commercial. Dredge fishing Area 5 is divided into four sub-areas. The dredge fishery is regulated by the number of licenses, the size of the dredge, a fishing season and a minimum legal size of 90 mm. A quota of landings is also effective in sub-areas 5A1, 5A2 and 5B1 and fishing effort (number of days) is controlled in the sub-areas 5A1, 5B1 and 5B2.

At the request of the Fisheries Management Branch, resource assessment is done every three years. The last Atlantic surfclam stock review was done in 2013. The objective of the review is to determine whether changes that have occurred in the stock status necessitate adjustments to management plans based on the conservation approach used.

Objective

Provide scientific advice on the management of Magdalen Islands Atlantic surfclam stocks for the 2016-2018 fishing seasons. This fishing is made by both hydraulic dredge or with manual tools (by diving or by foot). This advice shall include:

• Description of the biology of Atlantic surfclam and its distribution in Quebec’s coastal waters;
• Description of the fishery including management measures specific to the fishing sub-areas, landings and fishing effort;
• Analysis of catch per unit effort from the commercial fishery;
• Analysis of data from the commercial at-sea and dockside sampling program
• Identification of indicators to follow the stock status during the years without a formal stock assessment and criteria for the reopening of the advice;
• Identification and prioritization of research projects to be considered for the future;
• Perspectives for the 2016-2018 fishing seasons.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report on Magdalen Islands Atlantic surfclam
• CSAS Research document
• CSAS Proceedings summarizing discussions

Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science, and Ecosystems and Fisheries Management sectors)
• Fishing industry
• Provincial representatives