Terms of Reference

Lobster Fishing Areas (LFA) 35-38 Lobster Stock Status Update

Regional Science Response Process – Maritimes Region

September 8, 2014
Dartmouth, NS

Chairperson: Tana Worcester

Context

Lobster in Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs) 35-38 are assessed on a multiyear assessment schedule, with full assessments conducted every 5 years and Update reports produced in interim years. The last full assessment of LFAs 35-38 lobster (to the end of the 2011-12 season) was conducted in February 2013 (DFO 2013, Tremblay et al. 2013, Gaudette et al. 2014).

The 2013 assessment identified three key indicators that capture changes in lobster abundance and proposed reference points for each indicator. This Update reports on these indicators to the end of the 2012-13 fishing season.

Objectives

The objective of this meeting is to review the 2014 Update report and ensure that the approach agreed to at the 2013 assessment has been applied, specifically, to ensure that the following indicators have been accurately assessed against the agreed to reference points:

• Lobster landings
• Commercial catch rate of lobster
• Summer Research Vessel survey catch rate of lobster

Expected Publications

• Science Response

Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science
• DFO Resource Management

References

DFO. 2013.  Assessment of Lobster (Homarus americanus) in Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs) 35-38. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2013/023.

Gaudette, J., Tremblay, M.J., Silva, A.M., Denton, C., and Pezzack, D.S. 2014. Reproductive status of the American lobster in Southwest Nova Scotia and the Bay of Fundy (Lobster Fishing Areas 34-38). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2014/045. v + 30 p.

Tremblay, M.J., Pezzack, D.S., Gaudette, J., Denton, C., Cassista-Da Ros, M., and Allard, J. 2013. Assessment of lobster (Homarus americanus) off southwest Nova Scotia and in the Bay of Fundy (Lobster Fishing Areas 34-38). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2013/078. viii + 125 p.