Terms of Reference

Stock Assessment of American Lobster in Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs) 27-32

Regional Peer Review – Maritimes Region

February 11-12, 2019
Dartmouth, NS

Chairperson: Lottie Bennett

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 Areas (LFAs) 27-32 is assessed on a multi-year assessment schedule, with stock frameworks and assessments conducted approximately every five years and stock status update reports conducted in the interim years. The last stock framework review was conducted in January 2018.  The 2018 framework presented a suite of primary and contextual indicators for use as stock assessment indicators as well as upper stock and limit reference points.  This stock assessment will assess the stock in a manner consistent with the framework developed for the fishery in January 2018.

Objective

The objectives of this regional peer review are:

• 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 LFAs 27-32 lobster to the end of 2018 season.
• Evaluate the primary indicators against the reference points for LFAs 27-32.
• Estimate the level of incidental catch (including lobster) and the retention of non-lobster species, and report on information available on the survival of discarded target species. 
• Identify indicators which would be used to characterise stock status in the intervening years of the multi-year stock assessment cycle.
• Identify changes in the indicators (trigger values) that would suggest an earlier than scheduled assessment is warranted. 
• Propose the frequency and timing of interim-year updates to be provided between full peer-reviewed stock assessments as well as the information to be included within the updates.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Proceedings

Expected Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Fisheries and Aquaculture Management
• Aboriginal Communities / Organizations
• Provincial Governments (NS)
• Industry representatives
• Environmental Non-Government Organizations