Terms of Reference

Stock Status Update of Bay of Fundy Scallop in Scallop Production Areas (SPAs) 1A, 1B, and 3-6

Regional Science Response Process – Maritimes Region

August 24, 2020
Virtual meeting

Chairperson: Lottie Bennett

Context

The Bay of Fundy is fished by three scallop fleets: Full Bay, Mid Bay, and Upper Bay. The Full Bay Fleet operates under an Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) system, and the Mid and Upper Bay fleets operate under competitive quotas. Total Allowable Catches (TACs) are set for the fishery and landings are reported by meat weight (i.e. adductor muscle). Population surveys are conducted annually by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). The last full assessment was held in November 2015 (DFO 2016), and all SPAs were determined to be in the Healthy Zone at that time. An interim update for the fishery was conducted in November 2018 (DFO 2019), with all stocks in the Healthy Zone at that time.

This Science Response Report evaluates the status of Bay of Fundy scallop by SPA (1A, 1B, 3, 4, 5, and 6), taking into account the most recently available commercial and survey information.

Objectives

The objectives of this regional science response process are:

• using established reference points, harvest strategies and indicators, update the outcomes of different harvest levels in the SPAs 1A, 1B, 3, 4, 5, and 6 for the 2019/2020 season; in particular evaluate the impact of the 2019/2020 final TAC decisions.
• provide advice on the interim harvest levels for the start of the 2020/2021 season for SPA 1A, 1B, 3, and 4;
• provide updated information on the status of the 2019/2020 fishery;
• summarize available bycatch of non-target species information and identify any notable changes in occurrence of these bycatch species relative to previous years.

Expected Publication

• Science Response

Expected Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Resource Management

References

DFO. 2019. Stock Status Update of Scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) in Scallop Production Areas 1 to 6 in the Bay of Fundy. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2019/039.

DFO. 2016. Assessment of Scallops (Placopecten magellanicus) in Scallop Production Areas 1 to 6 in the Bay of Fundy. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2016/004.