Proceedings 2015/060

Proceedings of the Regional Peer Review Assessment of Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus) in NAFO Divisions 4VWX ; March 25-26, 2015

Chairperson: Mark Showell
Editors: Mark Showell and Kristian Curran

Summary

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus) is a pelagic species found on both sides of the North Atlantic. The Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) 4VWX management unit contains a number of herring spawning areas. For the purposes of evaluation and management, the 4VWX herring fisheries are divided into four components:

1. Southwest Nova Scotia/Bay of Fundy (SWNS/BoF) spawning component (or ‘4WX’ in the management plan);
2. Offshore Scotian Shelf banks spawning component;
3. Coastal (South Shore, Eastern Shore and Cape Breton) Nova Scotia spawning component; and
4. Southwest New Brunswick (SWNB) migrant juveniles.

The last assessment of 4VWX herring occurred in March 2013 followed by a stock status update undertaken in March, 2014. A 2015 4VWX herring assessment science advisory meeting was held March 25-26, 2015, at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Two meeting Working Papers (Acoustic Surveys and 2015 Evaluation) and a Science Advisory Report were presented and discussed at the meeting. The Science Advisory Report did not receive complete review prior to meeting adjournment. It was agreed by meeting participants that the Science lead, meeting Chairperson, and identified DFO peer reviewers would coordinate completion of a draft report consistent with views expressed in the meeting on the Working Papers, and circulated as a revised draft Science Advisory Report by email for subsequent review and approval post-meeting. All comments provided on the circulated report were addressed, and incorporated as necessary, jointly by the science lead and meeting chair. Meeting participants felt the Science Advisory Report and Working Papers presented sound scientific analyses based on the best available information on 4VWX herring. The documents have been accepted for publication pending revision following discussions of the meeting and post-meeting Science Advisory Report comment and review.

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