Terms of Reference

Assessment of Redfish Stocks (Sebastes mentella and S. fasciatus) in Units 1 and 2 in 2019

Zonal Peer Review - Quebec and Newfoundland & Labrador

January 20-22, 2020
Mont-Joli, Qc

Chairperson: Hugues Benoît

Context

Redfish in Units 1 and 2 consists of two different stocks: Sebastes mentella and S. fasciatus. These stocks are distributed in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, as well as in the Laurentian Channel and Laurentian Fan Regions south of Newfoundland and northeast of Nova Scotia. The lack of substantial recruitment and a significant decrease in stock biomass led to the establishment of a moratorium in 1995 in Unit 1. An index fishery has been authorized since 1998 and the total allowable catch is 2 000 tons (t) per year since 1999. In Unit 2, the total allowable catch have been at 8 500 t per year since 2006.

From 2011 to 2013, the recruitment of three large cohorts was observed. In recent years, the abundance and biomass has risen above the historical average, S. mentella being in the healthy zone and S. fasciatus in the cautious zone according to a Management Strategy Evaluation completed in 2018. In Unit 1, an experimental fishery was then established with an additional TAC of 2 500 t for 2018-2019 and 3 950 t for 2019-2020. In both Units, total allowable catches have not been completely collected in recent years. The imminent approach to recruitment of these fish into the commercial fishery therefore requires a review of available data to facilitate decision-making by fisheries management.

Objectives

Provide scientific advice on the status of Units 1 and 2 Redfish stocks. Whenever possible, assess separately the status of each species, namely S. mentella and S. fasciatus. This advice will include:

• Description of the biology and distribution of Redfish;
• Summary of oceanographic and ecosystem conditions;
• Provide an update on movement of Redfish into 3Pn, 4Vn and reproduction, and advice on the merit of continuing the current fishery winter closure;
• Description of Redfish fishery including landings, fishing effort, catch per unit effort; biological data, and bycatch of other species in the Redfish fishery;
• Update of abundance and biomass indices from industry and DFO surveys, including size structure and geographic distribution of catches;
• Identification of Limit Reference Point and proposal of Upper Reference Point in accordance with the precautionary approach, as well as stock status relative to the reference points for each stock;
• Determination of the process to provide advice during the interim years, including a description of conditions or indicators that may warrant a full stock assessment earlier than originally planned;
• Short-term stock perspectives based on available indicators;
• Progress and results of experimental projects carried out in 2018 or in progress in 2019;
• Identification of gaps that would guide experimental projects in upcoming years.

Expected Publications

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

Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science and Ecosystems and Fisheries Management sectors)
• Aboriginal Communities/Organizations
• Provincial Representatives
• Fishing Industry
• Academics and Other External Experts

References

Senay, C., Gauthier, J., Bourdages, H., Brassard, C., Duplisea, D., and Ouellette-Plante, J. 2019. Redfish (Sebastes mentella and S. fasciatus) stocks status in Unit 1 in 2017. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2