Terms of Reference

Stock Status Update of 3NOPs4VWX5 Atlantic Halibut

Regional Science Response Process – Maritimes Region

December 1, 2016
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Chairperson: Lottie Bennett

Context

Atlantic Halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) is a large and long-lived flatfish. It ranges widely in the waters off of Atlantic Canada. The management unit, the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Divisions 3NOPs4VWX5Zc (Scotian Shelf and Southern Grand Bank), is based largely on tagging results, which indicate that Atlantic Halibut moves extensively throughout the Canadian North Atlantic. A new assessment framework for 3NOPs4VWX5Zc Atlantic Halibut was accepted in November 2014 (DFO 2015a). The last stock assessment was conducted December 8-9, 2014 (DFO 2015b). The most recent stock status update was completed in December 2015 (DFO 2016).

Objectives

The objective of this Regional Science Sesponse process is to provide updated advice on the stock status of 3NOPs4VWX5Zc Atlantic Halibut by providing updated information for the following:

• Review of biological and fishery information on 3NOPs4VWX5 Atlantic Halibut stock. In particular, update the landings, the Research Vessel (RV) survey index of abundance, and the halibut survey index of exploitable biomass to include 2016; and
• Using three-year geometric mean of the Atlantic Halibut survey, scaled using the q from the SCAL model, provide Total Allowable Catch (TAC) advice.

Expected Publication

• Science Response

Expected Participation

• DFO Science, Maritimes Region
• DFO Fisheries Management, Maritimes Region

References

DFO. 2015a. Proceedings of the Regional Framework and Assessment of the Scotian Shelf and Southern Grand Banks Atlantic Halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) in NAFO Divisions 3NOPs4VWX5Zc; November 3-6, 2014, and December 8-9, 2014. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Proceed. Ser. 2015/040.

DFO. 2015b. 2014 Assessment of Atlantic Halibut on the Scotian Shelf and Southern Grand Banks (NAFO Divisions 3NOPs4VWX5Zc). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2015/012.

DFO. 2016. Stock Status Update of Atlantic Halibut on the Scotian Shelf and Southern Grand Banks (NAFO Divs. 3NOPs4VWX5Zc). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2016/010.