Terms of Reference

Science Advice on Limit Reference Points for Northern Shrimp, Pandalus borealis, and Striped Shrimp, Pandalus montagui, in the Western and Eastern Assessment Zones

Regional Peer Review – Central & Arctic Region

May 12–13, 2020
Virtual meeting

Chairperson: Dave Boguski

Context

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Resource Management has requested Science to establish a Limit Reference Point (LRP) consistent with the Precautionary Approach (PA) framework for both Northern Shrimp (Pandalus borealis) and Striped Shrimp (P. montagui) in order to determine the point below which serious harm may be occurring to the stock (i.e., the Critical Zone).

The LRP is required in order to manage fisheries based on the best available science in setting Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and to support the development of harvest control rules for these stocks to ensure the sustainability of the fishery. The LRP is established by DFO Science and is a required reference point so that the Upper Stock Reference Point (USR) and harvest decision rules can then be established by DFO Resource Management in consultation with co-management partners, provincial and territorial governments, industry, and DFO Science.

Since the reorganization of surveys conducted in the Central and Arctic Region in 2014, the joint DFO-Northern Shrimp Research Foundation survey has covered the Western Assessment Zone (WAZ) and Eastern Assessment Zone (EAZ) survey areas at the same time annually with the same ship and gear (DFO 2020). LRPs for the WAZ were developed in 2013, however, the restart of the time series means they are no longer valid (DFO 2018). Data points acquired since the new survey began will therefore be used to establish new reference points for the WAZ. Reference points will also be updated with the same proxies for the EAZ since the original points were calculated from only three surveys (Siferd 2015), which also no longer correspond to the assessment area boundaries (DFO 2019).

Objectives

The objectives of the peer-review are to:

• establish new LRPs for Northern and Striped shrimp in the WAZ;
• update existing LRPs for Northern and Striped shrimp in the EAZ; and,
• propose USRs for both fisheries in the WAZ and EAZ.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Proceedings
• Research Document

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science and Resource Management sectors)
• Nunavut Wildlife Management Board
• Nunavik Marine Region Wildlife Board
• Academics
• Other invited experts

References

DFO. 2018. Update of stock status indicators for Northern Shrimp, Pandalus Borealis, and Striped Shrimp, Pandalus montagui, in the Western and Eastern Assessment Zones, February 2018. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2018/012.

DFO. 2019. Assessment of Northern Shrimp, Pandalus borealis, and Striped Shrimp, Pandalus montagui, in the Eastern and Western Assessment Zones, February 2019. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2019/011.

DFO. 2020. Update of stock status indicators for Northern Shrimp, Pandalus borealis, and Striped Shrimp, Pandalus montagui, in the Western and Eastern Assessment Zones, January 2020. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2020/014. (Erratum: February 2020)

Siferd, T.D. 2015. 2015 Assessment of Northern Shrimp (Pandalus borealis) and Striped Shrimp (Pandalus montagui) in the Eastern and Western Assessment Zones (SFAs Nunavut, Nunavik and Davis Strait). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2015/010. v + 70 p.