Terms of Reference

Stock Assessment of American Lobster in Lobster Fishing Area(s) (LFA) 34 and 35-38

Regional Peer Review – Maritimes Region

October 1-2, 2019
Dartmouth, NS

Chairperson: Tara McIntyre

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 Area(s) (LFA) 34-38 is assessed on a multi-year assessment schedule, with stock framework and assessment science advisory processes conducted approximately every five years and stock status updates conducted in the interim years. The last stock framework review was conducted in September 2019. The 2019 framework presented a suite of primary, secondary, 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 September 2019.

Objectives

The objectives of this Regional Advisory Process are to:

• Apply the suite of primary, secondary, and contextual indicators proposed during the 2019 Stock Framework Regional Advisory Process to assess the stock status of the LFAs  34-38 lobster to the end of the 2018/19 season.
• Evaluate the primary indicators against the reference points for LFAs 34-38.
• Identify indicators which would be used to characterise stock status in the intervening years of the multi-year stock assessment cycle. 
• Review trigger values that would suggest an earlier than scheduled assessment is warranted. 
• Review 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(s)

Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Fisheries Management
• Provincial government (NS)
• Indigenous communities / organizations
• Industry Representatives
• Non-Government Organizations