Terms of Reference

2014 Bay of Fundy Scallop Update

Regional Science Response Process – Maritimes Region

November 28, 2014
Dartmouth, NS

Chairperson: Kristian Curran

Context

The Bay of Fundy is fished by three scallop fleets: Full Bay, Mid Bay, and Upper Bay. The Full Bay Fleet operates under an Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) system, and the Mid and Upper Bay fleets operate under competitive quotas. Total Allowable Catches (TACs) are set for the fishery and landings are reported by meat weight (i.e. adductor muscle). Population surveys are conducted annually by Fisheries and Oceans Science. The last full assessment of the Bay of Fundy scallop took place in 2013 (DFO 2014, Nasmith et al. 2014).This Science Response Report evaluates the stock status update for Scallop Production Areas 1 to 6 in the Bay of Fundy for 2014.

Objectives

The objectives of this meeting are to review the 2014 stock status update for Bay of Fundy Scallop by Scallop Production Area (SPA) 1A, 1B, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Specifically:

• Identify the consequences of different harvest levels in the SPAs for the 2014/2015 season using established reference points, harvest strategies, and indicators;
• Provide advice on the harvest levels for the 2014/2015 season and the preliminary harvest levels for the 2015/16 season for SPA 1A, 1B, 3 and 4;
• Identify all information on fishery by-catch of non-target species that may be available and, if available, identify any notable changes in occurrence of bycatch species relative to previous years. 

Expected Publication

• Science Response

Participation

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

References

DFO. 2014. Assessment of Scallops (Placopecten magellanicus) in Scallop Production Areas 1 to 6 in the Bay of Fundy. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2014/018.

Nasmith, L., Hubley, B, Smith, S.J., and Glass, A. 2014. Scallop Production Areas in the Bay of Fundy: Stock Status for 2013 and Forecast for 2014. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2014/016. vi + 139 p.