Terms of Reference

Stock Status Update of Eastern Scotian Shelf Shrimp in Shrimp Fishing Areas (SFAs) 13-15

Regional Science Response Process – Maritimes Region

December 14, 2017
Dartmouth, NS

Chairperson: Lottie Bennett

Context

There is a potential for significant inter-annual variability in the status of the shrimp.  Over or under-exploitation of the stock would have economic and/or conservation implications. Shrimp stocks to the south and north of the Scotian Shelf have seen rapid declines in recent years, and the fishable biomass of the Eastern Scotian Shelf (ESS) shrimp began to decline in 2014, as the large 2007-2008 year classes are reaching the end of their life expectancy. Science Advice will be particularly important in order for management to set quotas appropriately in response to this anticipated decline, and possible subsequent increase as the strong 2013 year class begins to recruit to the fishery.

The status of ESS shrimp was last assessed in 2016 (DFO, 2017). The current update is requested by Fisheries and Aquaculture Management Branch to provide a recommendation on a harvest level for the fishery in 2018.  The last update was completed in 2015 (DFO, 2016).

Objective

• Evaluate the overall status of Scotian Shelf shrimp in Shrimp Fishing Areas (SFAs) 13-15 as of the fall of 2017, including relative stock abundance and exploitation rate.
• Update descriptive information related to the fishery, the survey, biology and ecosystem interactions of the target species.
• Summarize the bycatch of non-target species in observed trips in the shrimp fishery in 2017.

Expected Publication

• Science Response

Expected Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Resource Management

References

DFO. 2016. Eastern Scotian Shelf Shrimp Stock Status Update for 2015-2016. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2016/001.

DFO. 2017. Assessment of Northern Shrimp on the Eastern Scotian Shelf (SFAs 13-15). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2017/005.