Terms of Reference

Assessment of the Gulf of St. Lawrence (4RST) Atlantic halibut

Regional Peer Review - Quebec Region

February 18-19, 2019
Mont-Joli, Quebec

Chairperson: Bernard Sainte-Marie

Context

The directed Atlantic halibut fishery is mainly carried out by longliners. To protect the population’s reproductive potential, this fishery is subject to several management measures including the control of catches by a total allowable catches (TAC). Atlantic halibut represent a by-catch for other fleets, in particular the gillnet Greenland halibut fleet.

At the request of the fisheries management Branch, resource assessment is done every two years. The purpose of the review is to determine whether changes have occurred in the status of the resource that would justify adjustments to the management plan based on the retained conservation approach.

Objective

Provide scientific advice on Atlantic halibut stock status in NAFO Divisions 4RST. This advice shall include:

• Description of the biology of Atlantic halibut and its distribution;
• A summary of oceanographic conditions in the Gulf;
• Analysis of the commercial fishing data including landing statistics, logbooks and commercial at-sea and dockside sampling program;
• Analysis of data from the DFO annual research trawl survey and sentinel fisheries;
• Analysis of data from the longline survey and tagging project carried out in collaboration with industry;
• Identify a Limit Reference Point for this stock, and report on stock status relative to the LRP.
• The determination of the process to provide advice during the interim years, including a description of conditions that may warrant a full stock assessment earlier than originally planned;
• Provide a perspective on stock status for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 seasons based on available indicators;
• Based on the assessment needs, setting research priorities for the next 5 to 10 years.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Proceedings
• Research Document

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science and Fisheries Management sectors)
• Fishing industry
• Provincial representatives
• Aboriginal communities/organizations
• External experts