Terms of Reference

Status of Divisions 3KL and Subdivision 3Ps Herring

Regional Peer Review, Newfoundland and Labrador Region

January 31-February 1, 2017
St. John’s NL

Chairperson: Rick Rideout, Science Branch, DFO, Newfoundland and Labrador Region

Context

The status of herring in Divisions 3KL and Subdivision 3Ps was last assessed in 2015. The current assessment was requested by Fisheries Management to provide the Minister with detailed advice on the status of these stocks.

Objectives

A review of any new information concerning the status of East and South Newfoundland Herring in the following stock areas:

• White Bay – Notre Dame Bay
• Bonavista Bay – Trinity Bay
• Conception Bay-Southern Shore
• St. Mary’s Bay – Placentia Bay
• Fortune Bay

The meeting will focus on the general state of herring stocks in Newfoundland and Labrador and identify any conservation issues requiring adjustments to the management plan. The following topics will be discussed:

• Description of the 2015 and 2016 Commercial Fisheries
• Results of the Herring Research Gill Net Program for 2015-2016 in Bonavista Bay-Trinity Bay and Fortune Bay
• Results from Herring Bait Logbooks for 2014-2016
• Results of the Herring Purse Seine Questionnaires for 2015-2016
• Results of the Herring Telephone Questionnaire 2015-2016
• Results of the Cumulative Change in Abundance Index 2015-2016
• Examination of Biological and Ecological Data for 2015
• Examination of the Biology and Distribution of Herring caught in spring offshore surveys from 2015-2016
• Results of sampling and an acoustic survey conducted in Placentia Bay in winter 2016

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Proceedings
• Research Document

Participation

• DFO Science, Newfoundland and Labrador, Maritimes, Gulf and Quebec Regions
• DFO Fisheries Management, Newfoundland and Labrador Region
• Fish, Food and Allied Workers Representatives
• Industry Representatives
• Aboriginal Groups
• Provincial Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
• Academia
• Non-Governmental Organizations