Terms of Reference

Western Component Pollock Harvest Control Rule 2014 Stock Status Update

Regional Science Response Process – Maritimes Region

December 4 2014
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Chairperson: Andrew Newbould

Context

In the Western Atlantic, Pollock are found from southwestern Greenland to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Important Canadian fisheries for Pollock occur on the Scotian Shelf, eastern Georges Bank and the Bay of Fundy using primarily otter trawl and gillnets, but also handlines and longlines. The faster-growing Western Component includes 4Xopqrs and Canadian portions of Area 5. Fisheries Management and industry have recently moved towards managing Pollock in the Western Component using a risk management approach (Management Strategy Evaluation, or MSE). The Management Procedure and associated Harvest Control Rule were established in 2011 (DFO 2011). The Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Maritimes Resource Management sector has requested that DFO Science provide an update on the science advice for the Western Component (4Xopqrs5) Pollock unit in support of the 2015/2016 fishery. The last assessment of Western Component (4Xopqrs5) Pollock was conducted in December 2014 (DFO 2014).

Objectives

Provide science advice on the 2015/16 Western Component Pollock catch limit generated by the Harvest Control Rule described in the Western Component Pollock Management Strategy Evaluation (DFO 2011) using the most recent information from ongoing monitoring (DFO summer RV survey).

Expected Publication

• CSAS Science Response

Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Resource Management

References

DFO. 2011. Western Component (4Xopqrs5) Pollock Management Strategy Evaluation. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2011/054.

DFO. 2014. Western Component (4Xopqrs5) Pollock Harvest Control Rule Update. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2014/004.