Terms of Reference

Status Update of 3NOPs4VWX+5 Atlantic Halibut

Regional Science Response Process – Maritimes Region

December 10, 2013
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Chairperson: Christie Whelan

Context

Science advice on the status of Atlantic Halibut in 3NOPs4VWX+5 was requested by Fisheries Management. This information is used to inform the Scotia Fundy Groundfish Advisory Committee of the status of the Halibut resource in advance of setting the total allowable catch for 2014.

Objectives

Evaluate and update trends in abundance indicators, including:

• standardized catch rates from the halibut survey,
• standardized catch rates from the commercial index, and
• stratified mean numbers per tow from the ecosystem research vessel survey

Evaluate landings and trends in fishing mortality estimated from tagging data.

Expected Publication

• Science Response

Participation

• DFO Maritimes Science
• DFO Maritimes Fisheries Management