Proceedings 2015/065
Proceedings of the Pacific regional peer review on Stock assessment for Pacific Ocean Perch in Areas 3CD and 5DE (British Columbia); and A Simultaneous Stock Assessment of Five Rockfishes in British Columbia Waters: Splitnose, Greenstriped, Redstripe, Harlequin and Sharpchin Rockfish; November 6-9, 2012
Chairpersons: Andrew M. Edwards and Allen R. Kronlund
Editors: Andrew M. Edwards and Allen R. Kronlund
Summary
These Proceedings summarize the relevant discussions and key conclusions that resulted from a Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) Regional Advisory Process meeting, held from November 6-9, 2012 at the Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo, British Columbia. Presented for peer review were two working papers focusing on stock assessments for Pacific Ocean Perch (Sebastes alutus) in management areas 3CD and 5DE, and one working paper presenting a simultaneous assessment of five data-limited rockfish (Sebastes sp.) species.
In-person and web-based participation included Fisheries and Oceans Canada staff from the Science Sector and Fisheries and Aquatic Management Sector, plus external participants from the commercial and recreational fishing sectors, provincial government, academia and the United States National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. The meeting was originally planned for four days, but the reviews were completed in three days.
Two stock assessments were reviewed for Pacific Ocean Perch (POP), a commercially important species of rockfish in British Columbia. The status of POP and harvest advice were provided for the stocks within Pacific Marine Fisheries Commission (PMFC) major areas 3C and 3D (3CD) off the west coast of Vancouver Island, and major areas 5D and 5E (5DE) off the north and west coasts of Haida Gwaii. The two working papers were accepted subject to revision.
The working paper concerning the simultaneous assessment of five data-limited rockfish species was then reviewed. The modelling approach taken was unable to produce reliable results that could be used to provide advice for the five stocks. For example, estimates of maximum sustainable yield varied greatly between sensitivity cases. It was agreed that further model fitting would be unlikely to resolve the uncertainties (given the available data). Consequently it was recommended that the working paper should be revised and published as a Research Document to record the approach taken. A Science Advisory Report would not be written, given that advice to managers could not be provided based on the assessment.
The conclusions and advice resulting from this review will be provided in the form of one Science Advisory Report (for the two POP assessments combined). The advice requested by the Groundfish Management Unit, Fisheries Management Branch is used to inform the selection of harvest levels for fishery planning.
The Science Advisory Report and three Research Documents will be made publicly available on the Canadian Science Advosry Secretariat (CSAS) Science Advisory Schedule.
Accessibility Notice
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