Terms of Reference

Assessment of Arctic Surfclam

Regional Peer Review – Maritimes Region

April 20-21, 2017
Dartmouth, NS

Chairperson:  Tana Worcester

Context

The Arctic Surfclam (Mactromeris polynyma) is a slow growing long-lived species found primarily in coarse sandy bottoms.  In the western Atlantic, they occur from the Strait of Belle Isle to Rhode Island.   The Arctic Surfclam fishery in the Canadian Atlantic operates on both the Scotian Shelf and the Grand Banks, with primary focus on Banquereau in recent years.  The Scotian Shelf and Grand Banks offshore clam fisheries are managed under one plan, with the licence holder(s) having equal access to quotas in both areas through Enterprise Allocations.

Science surveys of Banquereau Arctic Surfclams were conducted in 2004 and 2010.  Due to the large size of the Grand Bank, a scientific survey of Grand Bank Arctic Surfclam was conducted in three parts ending in 2009 (2006, 2008 and 2009) to assess the biomass of the stock in this area. A peer reviewed stock assessment of Grand Bank Arctic Surfclam was conducted in 2010 (DFO 2010), using an assessment approach similar to that developed for Banquereau.  The Banquereau Arctic Surfclam stock was last assessed in 2011 (DFO 2012). An assessment framework for Arctic Surfclam on Banquereau and Sable banks was developed in 2007 (DFO 2007) and the methods of assessment for Banquereau were revised in 2016.  A surplus production model and spatially disaggregated analysis was accepted as the new assessment approach at the 2016 assessment framework meeting.

In support of the decision-making for the 2018 fishery, DFO Maritimes and Fisheries and Aquaculture Management Branch have requested an assessment of resource status from DFO Maritimes Science.

Objectives

The objectives of this meeting are to:

• Present recent fisheries information for Banquereau and Grand Bank stocks, including:
  • Fishery Footprint
  • Catch per Unit Effort
  • Catch Size and Composition
• Evaluate the current stock status of the total fished area and the five proposed assessment areas on Banquereau.
• Evaluate reference points to be used in stock assessments and stock status updates of Surfclam on Banquereau.
• Present available information on habitat suitability.
• Develop the assessment schedule, including guidelines for monitoring of indicators and other events that would trigger an earlier than scheduled assessment. 

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Proceedings
• Research Document

Participation

• DFO Science, Ecosystem Management, Fisheries and Aquaculture Management, and Policy & Economics
• Aboriginal Communities/Organizations
• Fishing Industry
• Provincial representatives
• Academics
• Non-governmental organizations
• Other invited experts

References

DFO. 2007. Proceedings of the Maritime Provinces Regional Advisory Process on Assessment and Management Strategy Framework for Banquereau Arctic Surfclam and Ocean Quahogs on Sable Bank and in St. Mary’s Bay. 17-18 January 2007; 4-5 April 2007. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Proceed. Ser. 2007/008.

DFO. 2010. Assessment of the Arctic Surfclam (Mactromeris polynyma) Stock on Grand Bank. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2010/063.

DFO. 2012. Assessment of the Arctic Surfclam (Mactromeris polynyma) Stock on Banquereau in 2010. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2011/068.