Terms of Reference

Assessment of British Columbia Pacific Cod for Areas 3CD, and 5ABCD in 2018

Regional Peer Review Process – Pacific Region

October 10-11, 2018
Nanaimo, BC

Chairperson: Greg Workman

Context

Pacific Cod (Gadus macrocephalus) is a commercially important species of cod that occurs along the entire coast of British Columbia (BC), Canada, and is considered to be a short lived species (10-11 years; DFO 2015). The majority of catches are taken in Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound, where abundance is highest, although large catches have also been taken off the West Coast of Vancouver Island.  Pacific Cod are caught by the groundfish trawl fishery and occasionally by hook and line fisheries.  Four stocks of Pacific Cod are defined for management purposes in BC: Strait of Georgia (4B); West Coast Vancouver Island (3CD); Queen Charlotte Sound (5AB); and Hecate Strait (5CD).  This request is for Areas 3CD, 5AB, and 5CD only.

The last assessment for Pacific Cod was conducted in 2013 for Areas 5AB, 5CD, and in 2001 for Area 3CD.  There is a requirement to estimate stock status relative to reference points that are consistent with the DFO’s Fishery Decision-Making Framework Incorporating the Precautionary Approach (DFO 2009).  These reference points can include Limit Reference Points, Upper Stock Reference Points, and Target Reference Points. In 2013, reference points were calculated for Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound Pacific Cod stocks (DFO 2015). 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Fisheries Management has requested that DFO Science provide advice regarding the assessment of Pacific Cod in Areas 3CD, 5AB, and 5CD, relative to reference points that are consistent with the DFO’s Precautionary Approach (DFO 2009), and the implications of varying catches on expected stock status. The advice arising from this Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) Regional Peer Review (RPR) will be used to inform fisheries management decisions to help define catch levels for the species.

Objective

The following working paper will be reviewed and provide the basis for discussion and advice on the specific objectives outlined below:
Assessment of British Columbia Pacific Cod for Areas 3CD, 5AB and 5CD in 2017.  Forrest, R., Grandin C., Anderson, S., and Starr, P. 2018. CSAP Working Paper 2014GRF06
The specific objectives of this review are to:

1. Recommend reference points consistent with the DFO Precautionary Approach and include the biological considerations and rationale used to make such a determination.
2. Assess the current status of Pacific Cod for Areas 3CD, 5AB, 5CD, relative to the recommended reference points.
3. Using probabilistic decision tables, evaluate the consequences of a range of constant catch harvest policies to projected biomass relative to the reference points and additional stock metrics including projected biomass relative to current biomass.
4. Describe the sources of uncertainty related to the model (e.g. model parameter estimates, assumptions regarding catch, productivity, carrying capacity and population status);
5. Develop a Harvest Control Rule for Pacific Cod that can be applied to stocks in all outside Areas (3CD, 5AB, 5CD).
6. Recommend an appropriate interval between formal stock assessments, indicators used to characterize stock status in the intervening years, and/or triggers of an earlier than scheduled assessment.  Provide a rationale if indicators and triggers cannot be identified.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Proceedings
• Research Document

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science and Fisheries Management)
• Commercial and Recreational Fishing Representatives
• Environmental Non-government Organizations
• First Nations
• Province of BC
• USA Government Agencies (e.g. NOAA, Alaska Fish & Game)

References

DFO 2009. A Fishery Decision-Making Framework Incorporating the Precautionary Approach.

Forrest, R.E., Rutherford, K.L, Lacko, L., Kronlund, A.R., Starr, P.J., and McClelland, E.K. 2015. Assessment of Pacific Cod (Gadus macrocephalus) for Hecate Strait (5CD) and Queen Charlotte Sound (5AB) in 2013. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2015/052