Terms of Reference

Stock Assessment of American Lobster in Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 41

Regional Peer Review – Maritimes Region

September 27-28, 2017
Dartmouth, NS

Chairpersons: Manon Cassista-Da Ros and Lottie Bennett

Context

American Lobster (Homarus americanus) is found in coastal waters from Maryland to southern Labrador, with the major fisheries concentrated around Gulf of Maine and the Gulf of St. Lawrence areas. Though lobster is most common in coastal waters, they are also found in deeper, warm water areas of the Gulf of Maine and along the outer edge of the continental shelf from North Carolina to Sable Island.

Lobster in Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 41 is assessed on a multi-year assessment schedule, with stock framework and assessment science advisory processes conducted approximately every five years and stock status updates conducted in the interim years. The last stock assessment was conducted in January 2014 and was consistent with the stock framework adopted in December 2013 (DFO 2014; Pezzack et al. 2015). The last stock status update was completed in November 2016 (DFO 2017).  The 2017 Framework presented a suite of primary and contextual indicators for use as stock assessment indicators as well as upper stock and limit reference indicators.  This stock assessment will assess the stock in a manner consistent with the stock framework developed for the fishery in January 2017.

Objective

The objectives of this Regional Advisory Process are to:

• Apply the suite of primary and secondary indicators proposed during the 2017 Stock Framework Regional Advisory Process to assess the stock status of the LFA 41 lobster to the end of the 2016 season.
• Evaluate the primary indicators against the reference points for LFA 41.
• Assess the risk of the historical total allowable catch of 720 tonnes.
• Estimate the level of incidental catch (including lobster) and the retention of non-lobster species, and report on information available on the survival of discarded target species. 
• Identify indicators which would be used to characterise stock status in the intervening years of the multi-year stock assessment cycle.
• Identify changes in the indicators (trigger values) that would suggest an earlier than scheduled assessment is warranted. 
• Propose the frequency and timing of interim-year updates to be provided between full peer-reviewed stock assessments as well as the information to be included within the updates.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Proceedings
• Research Document(s)

Expected Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Fisheries and Aquaculture Management
• Provincial governments (NS)
• Aboriginal communities / organizations
• Industry Representatives
• Environmental Non-Government Organizations

References

DFO. 2014. Assessment of Lobster (Homarus americanus) in Lobster Fishing Area 41 (4X + 5Zc). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2014/034 (Revised).

DFO. 2017. Lobster (Homarus americanus) in Lobster Fishing Area 41 (4X + 5Zc): 2016 Stock Status Update. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2017/015.

Pezzack, D.S., C. Denton, M. Cassista-Da Ros, and M.J. Tremblay. 2015. Assessment of the Canadian LFA 41 Offshore Lobster (Homarus americanus) Fishery (NAFO Divisions 4X 5Zc). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2015/066. v + 79 p.