Terms of Reference

Assessment of Northern Shrimp Stocks in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence

Regional Peer Review - Quebec Region

January 23, 2018
Mont-Joli, Qc

Chairperson: Bernard Sainte-Marie

Context

The Estuary and northern Gulf of St. Lawrence are divided in four shrimp fishing areas (SFA): Estuary (SFA 12), Sept-Iles (SFA 10), Anticosti (SFA 9) and Esquiman (SFA 8). Shrimp fishing is regulated by a number of management measures, including the setting of total allowable catches (TAC) in the four areas.

The key elements for the establishment of a precautionary approach (PA) were adopted in 2012. Reference points were determined and guidelines have been established to determine harvest based on the stock status main indicator and its position relative to healthy, cautious and critical zone classification.

Objective

Provide scientific advice for the management of Northern Shrimp stocks in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence (SFA 8, 9, 10 and 12) for the 2018 fishing season. This advice shall include:

• Description of the biology of Gulf of St. Lawrence Northern shrimp and its distribution
• A summary of oceanographic and ecosystem conditions in the Gulf
• Analysis of commercial fishery data including landings, effort, catch per unit of effort and data from the commercial sampling program
• Data analysis of the DFO research surveys in August in the estuary and northern Gulf
• Update of the main stocks status indicator
• A recommendation on harvest according to PA guidelines for the 2018 fishing season
• Comment the outlook for stock abundance
• Estimate by-catches (among others, Redfish, Turbot, Northern Cod and Capelin) during the directed fishery on Northern Shrimp
• Identification and prioritization of research projects to be considered for the future

Expected Publications

• CSAS Science Advisory Report on Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence shrimp
• CSAS Research document(s)
• SAS Proceedings summarizing discussions

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science, and Ecosystems and Fisheries Management sectors)
• Fishing industry
• Provincial representatives
• Aboriginal Communities / Organizations