Terms of Reference

Assessment of stock status of Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) from the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (NAFO Div. 4T)

Regional Science Peer Review – Gulf Region March 11 and 12, 2014

March 11 and 12, 2014
Moncton, New Brunswick

Chairperson: Gérald Chaput (DFO Gulf Region)

Context

In support of a request for science advice from DFO Fisheries and Aquaculture Management, DFO Gulf Science Branch will review the status of the spring and fall spawning components of the Atlantic herring stock of the of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, NAFO Division 4T. The most recent assessment and catch advice were provided in 2012 (DFO 2012).

Objectives

Assessment of the status of the spring and fall spawning components of Atlantic herring of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (NAFO Div. 4T) including:

• Information on catches to the end of 2013, including best estimates of total removals by all fisheries.
• Key indicators of stock status and trends (commercial catch rates, acoustic survey indices, size and/or age composition, etc.).
  • A summary of the conclusions and recommendations from the review of the fishery dependent acoustic indices for the five most important fall spawning areas will be presented.
• Evaluation of the appropriateness and results of the population model(s) (Sequential Population Analysis) for spring and fall spawning components.
  • The feasibility of using a spawning area specific assessment model for the fall herring component will be reviewed.
• Where possible, a quantitative risk analysis of catch options relative to the probability of meeting defined management objectives for these stocks for 2014, as well as for the combined years 2014 and 2015:
  • For limit and upper stock reference points
  • For F0.1 for the fall spawning component
  • For an increase in biomass of the spring spawning component
• Projections of the number of years for the spring biomass to be above the upper stock reference point at annual catch levels of 1,500, 2,000 and 2,500 t .
• Review and agree on key stock status indicators which will be used in the intervening years of the multi-year (2) management plan to summarize the status of the resource.
• Review the size at 50% maturity of southern Gulf of St. Lawrence 4T herring since the most recent estimate (DFO 2007).

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Proceedings
• Research Document(s)

Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science Branch and Ecosystems and Fisheries Management)
• Maritime Provinces
• Fishing industry
• Aboriginal organizations

References

DFO. 2007. Size at 50% maturity for southern Gulf of St. Lawrence herring (NAFO 4T). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2007/019.

DFO. 2012. Assessment of Atlantic herring in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (NAFO Div. 4T). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2012/014.