Terms of Reference

Update of sea cucumber stock status indicators for Units B and C in the Gaspé Peninsula in 2019

Regional Science Response Processs – Quebec Region

May 22, 2020
Virtual meeting

Chairperson: Charley Cyr

Context

The stock assessment of sea cucumber in Quebec's coastal waters is carried out every three years, with the last assessment taking place in June 2017. In the case of Units B and C located in the Gaspé Peninsula, the management measures included in the Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) provide that the total allowable catch (TAC) will be adjusted annually in the event of a significant drop in catch per unit effort (CPUE). Thus, a decrease in CPUE of 20% or more in relation to the average or reference value of the (Unit B: 2016 and Unit C: 2015-2016) will result in an equivalent decrease in the TAC. In the event of an increase in CPUE, no adjustment to the TAC will be made before the next stock assessment.

Objectives

Review catch-per-unit-effort data for the commercial sea cucumber fishery in Units B and C in 2019.

Expected Publication

• Science Response

Expected Participation

• DFO Science

References

DFO. 2017. Assessment of the Sea Cucumber fishery in Quebec’s inshore waters in 2016. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2017/050.