Science Response 2014/019

Stock Status Update of Cusk (Brosme brosme) in NAFO Divisions 4VWX5Z Under the Precautionary Approach Framework

Context

Commercial catch rates for Cusk have declined since the 1980s. Management measures (e.g., trip limits, overall caps, and bycatch percentages) may have contributed to this reduction in catch rates (and landings); however, it is thought the decline in catch per unit effort (CPUE) is also due to a decline in Cusk abundance. The extent of the decline in abundance is not known. Proposed reference points for Cusk and other Maritimes Region stocks were reviewed at a Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Regional Peer Review meeting in February 2012. The framework for these reference points followed the 2009 DFO policy document “A fishery decision-making framework incorporating the Precautionary Approach,” which explains in detail how the precautionary approach (PA) will be put into practice. To be compliant with the PA, fishery management plans should include harvest strategies that incorporate a Limit Reference Point (LRP) that delimits the boundary between a critical and cautious zone, and an Upper Stock Reference (USR) that delimits the boundary between a cautious and healthy zone on the stock status axis. The Halibut Industry Survey provides an ongoing time series to be used for monitoring Cusk stock status. The USR and LRP for Cusk were set at 26.6 kg/1000 hooks and 13.3 kg/1000 hooks respectively. The 3-year geometric mean was accepted as the metric for monitoring Cusk status relative to the USR and LRP.

This Science Response Report results from the Science Response Process of December 18, 2013, on the status of Cusk (Brosme brosme) in NAFO divisions 4VWX5Z under the Precautionary Approach Framework. Fisheries and Aquaculture Management requested the current 3-year geometric mean of the Cusk CPUE from the DFO-Industry longline survey relative to the USR (26.6 kg/1000 hooks) and the LRP (13.3 kg/1000 hooks).

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