Terms of Reference

Pacific Cod (Gadus macrocephalus) Assessment for Queen Charlotte Sound (5AB), British Columbia in 2013

Regional Peer Review – Pacific Region

December 8, 2014
Nanaimo, British Columbia

Chairperson: Rowan Haigh

Context

Pacific Cod (Gadus macrocephalus) is a commercially important species of cod that occurs along the entire coast of British Columbia, Canada. The majority of catches are taken in Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound, where abundance is highest, although large catches have also been taken off the West Coast of Vancouver Island. Pacific Cod are taken by the groundfish trawl fishery and occasionally by hook and line fisheries.

A coastwide assessment of Pacific Cod has been requested by the Fisheries Management Branch of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). An updated Area 5AB assessment has not been received for the past 2 generations for this species.  This meeting will review the area 5AB assessment of Pacific Cod including revisions as recommended at the January 9-10, 2014 Regional Peer Review. Given the apparent high productivity of Pacific Cod, updated advice has been requested to respond to changes in stock abundance in a timely manner.

Objectives

Guided by the DFO Sustainable Fisheries Framework, particularly the Fishery Decision-making Framework Incorporating the Precautionary Approach (DFO 2009), meeting participants will review the following working paper to provide the basis for discussion and advice on the specific objectives outlined below.

R.E. Forrest, K.L. Rutherford, L. Lacko, A.R. Kronlund, P.J. Starr. Assessment of Pacific Cod (Gadus macrocephalus) for Queen Charlotte Sound (5AB). CSAP Working Paper 2014‑15/P22.

The working paper will be used to provide advice with respect to the following objectives:

• Recommend reference points consistent with the DFO Precautionary Approach. Include the biological considerations and rationale used to make such a determination.
• Evaluate the current status of Pacific Cod in Area 5AB relative to the recommended reference points.
• Evaluate the consequences of varying constant catches on future population status, providing decision tables and figures of projected biomass.
• Evaluate the performance of alternative model structures on decision-making.

Expected Publications

• CSAS Science Advisory Report
• CSAS Research Document
• CSAS Proceedings

Participation

• DFO (Science, Fisheries Management, Oceans, Habitat)
• Aboriginal communities
• Province of British Columbia
• External reviewers
• Industry
• Non-governmental organizations and other scientists and stakeholders.

References

DFO. 2009. A fishery decision-making framework incorporating the Precautionary Approach.