Terms of Reference

Stock Assessment of American Lobster in Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 33

Regional Peer Review – Maritimes Region

October 1, 2018
Dartmouth, NS

Chairperson: Jennifer Ford

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) 33 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. A new stock framework was adopted in February 2018, which included a suite of primary, secondary, 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 February 2018.

Objective

The objectives of this Regional Advisory Process are to:

• Apply the suite of primary, secondary, and contextual indicators proposed during the 2018 Stock Framework Regional Advisory Process to assess the stock status of the LFA 33 lobster to the end of the 2017/18 season.
• Evaluate the primary indicators against the reference points for LFA 33.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Proceedings

Expected Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Fisheries Management
• Provincial government (NS)
• Indigenous communities / organizations
• Industry Representatives
• Non-Government Organizations