Terms of Reference

Assessment Framework for Southwest Nova Scotia/Bay of Fundy Herring: Part 1 – Review of Data Inputs

Regional Peer Review – Maritimes Region

February 5-6, 2019
Dartmouth, NS

Chairperson: Kent Smedbol

Context

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus) is a pelagic species found on both sides of the North Atlantic. Herring spawn in discrete locations, to which they are presumed to home. Herring first mature and spawn at three or four years of age (23 to 28 cm or 9 to 11 in), then begin a predictable annual pattern of spawning, overwintering, and summer feeding, which often involves considerable migration and mixing with members of other spawning groups. The Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Areas 4VWX management unit contains a number of spawning areas. Spawning areas in close proximity with similar spawning times, and which share a larval distribution area, are considered part of the same complex. For evaluation and management, the 4VWX herring fisheries are divided into four components:

1. SW (Southwest) Nova Scotia/Bay of Fundy spawning component
2. Offshore Scotian Shelf banks spawning component
3. Coastal (South Shore, Eastern Shore and Cape Breton) Nova Scotia spawning component
4. SW New Brunswick migrant juveniles.

The last assessment framework conducted in 2011 recommended that the next framework should focus on model improvement and exploration (DFO 2011). This assessment framework will focus on the Southwest Nova Scotia/Bay of Fundy (SWNS/BoF) spawning component. The last stock assessment for this component was conducted in 2018 (DFO 2018), with stock status updates provided in 2016 (DFO 2016) and 2017 (DFO 2017). The 2018 assessment identified the framework assessment as a priority.

This meeting is the first of two, and will address the data inputs step in developing an assessment framework for the SWNS/BoF component.

Objective

The objective of this first meeting is to review the data inputs and indices of abundance relevant for SWNS/BoF Herring.

• Summarize the definition of the SWNS/BoF Herring management unit (growth, morphometrics, movement) provided at the 2006 Framework meetings. Present any relevant new information that might change the definition of the management unit.
• Review SWNS/BoF Herring fishery distribution, landings, age composition, condition, weight/length at age, maturity, timing and bycatch.
• Review data that accounts for all fishing mortality and reporting separately. Including bait fisheries (since 2016), silver hake fishery, Nova Scotia weirs, gillnets, adult herring in New Brunswick weirs and purse seine fisheries.
• Review the acoustics data series (1999 to present) including the methods, coverage and turnover biomass estimates (as discussed at the 2018 stock assessment).
• Review the groundfish research vessel survey age-specific indices of abundance and acoustic data
• Examine sources of ecosystem information (environmental factors, diet information, unaccounted for sources of mortality, etc.) and identify how this information might be incorporated into the assessment framework.
• Review Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) framework and identify how it could be incorporated into the assessment framework.
• Provide information on ongoing research related to herring in academia or other regions of DFO.

Expected Publications

• Proceedings
• 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 experts

References

DFO. 2011. Proceedings of the Maritimes Region Science Advisory Process on the Assessment Framework for Soutwest Nova Scotia/Bay of Fundy Herring; 24-28 January 2011. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Proceed. Ser. 2011/031: iv + 28p.

DFO. 2016. 4VWX Herring 2016 Update Report. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2016/036.

DFO. 2017. Stock Status Update of 4VWX Herring. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2017/037

DFO. 2018. 2018 Assessment of 4VWX Herring. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2018/052.