Terms of Reference

Update of indices of abundance to 2018 of American Plaice (NAFO Div. 4T) and Yellowtail Flounder (NAFO Div. 4T) assessed and managed by DFO Gulf Region

Regional Science Response Process – Gulf Region

December 13, 2018
Moncton, New Brunswick

Chairperson: Gérald Chaput

Context

Full peer-reviewed stock assessments of groundfish species in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence are now mostly conducted on a multi-year cycle with monitoring continuing on an annual basis. Following on the advice of DFO (2016a) and as identified in the respective peer reviewed stock assessments for American Plaice (DFO 2016b) and Yellowtail Flounder (DFO 2016c), an update of indicators of stock status would be completed at the end of the year 2018, mid-way in the five-year assessment and fisheries management cycle.

Objective

The objectives of the meeting are to review the indicators of abundance to 2018, based on species specific assessments, for the following two species of groundfish in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence:

• American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides) NAFO Div. 4T (DFO 2016b),
• Yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea) NAFO Div. 4T (DFO 2016c)
• For each species, assess if the agreed indicator has exceeded the species specific threshold value that would recommend a full assessment earlier than the prescribed multi-year assessment cycle.

Expected Publications

• Science Response

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Ecosystems and Oceans Science, and Ecosystems and Fisheries Management)

References

DFO. 2016a. Guidelines for providing interim-year updates and science advice for multi-year assessments. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2016/020.

DFO. 2016b. Stock assessment of American Plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides) of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (NAFO Div. 4T) to 2015. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2016/031.

DFO. 2016c. Stock assessment of Yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea) of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (NAFO Div. 4T) to 2015. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2016/033.