Terms of Reference

Update of Scallop Fishery Area Closures on Georges Bank to Protect Cod Spawning Aggregations

Regional Science Response Process (SRP)– Maritimes Region

December 18, 2019
St. Andrews, New Brunswick

Chairperson: Rabindra Singh

Context

The requirement to account for all fishing mortality of Georges Bank Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) in Canada has led to efforts by the offshore scallop fishery to reduce Atlantic Cod bycatch (DFO 2019). Along with active avoidance protocols adopted by the offshore scallop fleet, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has implemented area/time closures from early-February to the end of March, since 2005, in order to reduce bycatch and minimize disturbance to spawning aggregations of Atlantic Cod by the offshore scallop fishery on Georges Bank. The last science update for Scallop Fishery Area Closures to Protect Atlantic Cod Spawning Aggregations on Georges Bank was held on 14 December 2018 (DFO 2019).

Objective

The objective of the Science Special Response Process is to provide science advice on the following :

• Assess the spatial trends of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Division 5Z Atlantic Cod distribution, particularly at spawning time, including its overlap with the offshore scallop fishery; and
• Identify areas of high NAFO Division 5Z Atlantic Cod concentration using cells that have already been defined and used in previous analysis.

Expected Publication

• Science Response

Expected Participations

• DFO Science
• DFO Fisheries and Aquaculture Management

References

DFO. 2019. Scallop Fishery Area/Time Closure to Protect Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) Spawning Aggregations in NAFO Division 5Z (Georges Bank). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2019/019.