Terms of Reference

Assessment Framework for 4X5Y Atlantic Cod: Part 1 – Review of Data Inputs

Regional Peer Review – Maritimes Region

March 27-28, 2018
St. Andrews, New Brunswick

Chairperson: Jennifer Ford

Context

Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) ranges from Georges Bank to northern Labrador in the Canadian Atlantic. There are several concentrations of cod within this range, including those on the Southern Scotian Shelf and Bay of Fundy in Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Divisions 4X and 5Y. In 2010, COSEWIC assessed the southern population unit (4X5YZjm) as Endangered, and a Recovery Potential Assessment was completed in 2011. The last 4X5Y Cod stock assessment was conducted in 2008 (DFO 2009/018), with stock status updates provided in 2014 (DFO 2015/010), 2016 (DFO 2017/024) and 2017 (DFO 2018/XXX). This meeting is the first of two, and will address the data inputs step in developing an assessment framework for 4X5Y Cod.

Objective

The objective of this first meeting is to review the data inputs and indices of abundance relevant for 4X5Y Cod:  

• Review definition of the 4X5Y Cod management unit (growth, morphometrics, movement).
• Review 4X5Y Cod fishery distribution, landings, age composition, timing and bycatch.
• Review Research Vessel survey age-specific indices of abundance, weight/length at age, condition, spatial distribution, age composition, recruitment, survey Z and maturity.
• Examine sources of ecosystem information (environmental factors, diet information, unaccounted for sources of mortality, etc.).

Expected Publications

• Proceeding
• Research Document

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science, Ecosystem Management, and Fisheries and Aquaculture Management)
• Provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick
• Academics
• Indigenous communities/organizations
• Fishing industry
• Other invited expert

References

DFO. 2009. Assessment of Cod in division 4X in 2008. DFO. Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2009/018.

DFO. 2015. 2014 4X5Yb Atlantic Cod Stock Status Update. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2015/010.

DFO. 2017. 2016 4X5Yb Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) Stock Status Update. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2017/024.

DFO. 2018. Stock Status Update of Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) in NAFO Divisions 4X5Yb. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2018/020.