Terms of Reference

2016 Stock Status Update of Bay of Fundy Scallop in Scallop Production Areas (SPAs) 1A, 1B, and 3-6

Regional Science Response Process – Maritimes Region

November 17, 2016
Dartmouth, NS

Chairperson: Lottie Bennett

Context

The Bay of Fundy is fished by three scallop fleets: Full Bay, Mid Bay, and Upper Bay. The Full Bay Fleet operates under an Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) system, and the Mid and Upper Bay fleets operate under competitive quotas. Total Allowable Catches (TACs) are set for the fishery and landings are reported by meat weight (i.e. adductor muscle). Population surveys are conducted annually by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). The last full assessment was held in November 2015 (DFO 2016), and all stocks were determined to be in the healthy zone at that time. An interim update for the fishery was conducted in November 2014 (DFO 2015).

This Science Response Report evaluates the status of Bay of Fundy scallop stocks by SPA (1A, 1B, 3, 4, 5, and 6), taking into account available commercial and survey information.

Objectives

The objectives of this regional science response process are:

• using established reference points, harvest strategies and indicators, update the outcomes of different harvest levels in the SPAs for the 2016/2017 season;
• provide advice on the initial harvest levels for the start of the 2017/18 season for SPA 1A, 1B, 3 and 4; and
• summarize available bycatch of non-target species information and identify any notable changes in occurrence of these bycatch species relative to previous years.

Expected Publication

• Science Response

Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Resource Management  

References

DFO. 2015. Scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) in Scallop Production Areas 1 to 6 in the Bay of Fundy: Stock Status Update for 2014. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2015/002.

DFO. 2016. Assessment of Scallops (Placopecten magellanicus) in Scallop Production Areas 1 to 6 in the Bay of Fundy. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2016/004.