Terms of Reference

Advice on an acceptable level of Greenland Halibut catches in the Gulf of St. Lawrence for the 2014–2015 fishing season

Regional Science Response Process – Quebec Region

March 14, 2014
Mont-Joli, Quebec

Chairperson: Charley Cyr

Context

In spring 2013, following the advisory committee meeting and stock assessment of Greenland Halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (DFO 2013a), Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced that the total allowable catch (TAC) would be 4500 t per year for the 2013–2014 and 2014–2015 fishing seasons.

With this multi-year fisheries management approach, the Science Sector provides, in interim years, an update on stock status based on pre-determined indicators. Two updates were therefore produced following the 2013 fishing season (DFO 2013b, DFO 2014). Indicators showed a significant decline in the abundance of commercial-size 4RST Greenland Halibut in 2013 which calls into question the recommendations from the 2013 Science Advisory Report. As a result of these updates, Fisheries Management asked the Science Sector for advice on an acceptable level of catches for the 2014–2015 fishing season, meaning the management year from May 15, 2014 to May 14, 2015.

Objectives

The meeting objectives are to provide an advice on an acceptable level of Greenland Halibut cathes in the Gulf of St. Lawrence for the 2014-2015 fishing season taking into account the advice already provided during the update of the main stock status indicators and the update of the commercial fishing indicators.

Expected Publication

• Science Response

Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Ecosystems and Oceans Science)

Publication

DFO. 2013a. Assessment of Greenland halibut in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (4RST) in 2012. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2013/039.

DFO. 2013b. Update of main indicators of the stock status of Greenland halibut in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (4RST) in 2013. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2013/025.

DFO. 2014. Update of commercial fishing indicators for Greenland Halibut in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in 2013. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2014/013.