Proceedings 2015/030

Proceedings of the Regional Assessment of Northern Shrimp (Pandalus borealis) of the Eastern Scotian Shelf (SFAs 13-15); November 27, 2014

Chairperson and editor: Kristian Curran

Summary

The biology of northern shrimp, Pandalus borealis, of the Eastern Scotian Shelf stock has been well-documented. Although there has been some shrimp fishing on the Scotian Shelf since the 1960s, the Nova Scotia fishery began to expand toward its full potential only when groundfish bycatch restrictions were overcome with the introduction of the Nordmøre grate in 1991. In the past, science advice for the stock has been provided on an annual basis, with full peer review and industry participation occurring until 2012. Commencing in 2013, the fishery is to be fully assessed every two years, with interim advice provided in interim years. The first interim advice was provided in 2013 based on a complete analysis of the data (DFO 2014). On November 27, 2014, an Eastern Scotian Shelf shrimp assessment science advisory meeting was held at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The objectives of the meeting were to:

1. assess the overall status of Eastern Scotian Shelf shrimp (Shrimp Fishing Areas 13-15) as of the fall of 2014;
2. report on bycatch of non-shrimp species; and
3. evaluate the consequences of different harvest levels during the 2015 fishery.

Peer reviewers and meeting participants felt that the Working Paper presented sound scientific analyses based on the best available information on northern shrimp of the Eastern Scotian Shelf, and is acceptable for publication as a Research Document pending revision following discussions at the meeting. There was also support for the proposed Science Advisory Report provided edits discussed at the meeting were adopted within the final version of the report. The Science Advisory Report received consensus at the meeting. A framework assessment for northern shrimp of the Eastern Scotian Shelf is scheduled for April 14-15, 2015.

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