Terms of Reference

Assessment of Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Subdivision 3Ps American Plaice

Regional Peer Review – Newfoundland and Labrador Region

November 19-22, 2019
St. John's, NL

Co-Chairs: Karen Dwyer and Krista Baker

Context

The status of Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Subdivision 3Ps American plaice was last assessed in January 2014 (DFO 2014). The main objectives were to evaluate the status of the stock and to provide scientific advice concerning conservation outcomes related to various fishery management options.
The current assessment is requested by the Fisheries Management Branch to provide the Minister with detailed advice on the status of the stock in order to inform management decisions for the 2020-23 fishing seasons.

Objectives

• Provide an oceanographic and environmental overview for the stock area. If possible, this information should be integrated into the advice.
• Assess and report on the current status of the 3Ps American plaice stock. In particular, assess current biomass with respect to its Limit Reference Point (LRP).
• Analyze length frequencies to provide an indication of recent year class strength.
• Provide annual projections to 2023 of biomass relative to the LRP (with 95% CIs) under scenarios of F=0, F current, and F current ± 15%, as a well as associated risk analyses.
• DFO's Precautionary Approach (PA) Framework indicates there is a zero tolerance for preventable decline when the stock is in the critical zone. Identify the level of removals that provide a high probability (0.95) of stock growth over the short to medium-term (3-5 years).
• Highlight major sources of uncertainty in the assessment.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Proceedings
• Research Document(s)

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science and Fisheries Management Branches)
• French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (IFREMER)
• Provincial Department of Fisheries and Land Resources
• Fishing Industry
• Academia
• Indigenous groups
• Non-government organizations

References

DFO. 2014. Stock Assessment of NAFO Subdivision 3Ps American Plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2014/045.