Terms of Reference

2014 Stock Status Update for 4X5Yb Cod

Regional Science Response Process – Maritimes Region

January 6, 2015
Dartmouth, NS

Chairperson: Andrew Newbould

Context

Although Atlantic cod in the 4X5Yb area have supported a commercial fishery since the 1700s, their abundance has declined in number and biomass since 1980.  In its 2003 assessment of the species, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) designated the Maritimes designatable unit (DU) Special Concern (COSEWIC 2003).  In 2010, COSEWIC re-assessed Atlantic cod, and split the Maritimes DU into two new DUs, the Laurentian South DU and the Southern DU, and designated the Southern DU as Endangered due to significant decline in abundance and evidence of an unexplained increase in natural mortality in 4X (COSEWIC 2010). 

A Recovery Potential Assessment (RPA) was carried out by DFO Science in 2011 to provide the information and scientific advice required to meet various requirements of the Species at Risk Act (SARA).  The 2011 RPA forms the basis of the most recent stock assessment for 4X5Yb, which is assessed on a 5-year cycle (DFO 2011).  The present Science Response is the result of a request for a stock status update from Fisheries Management (Maritimes Region).

Objectives

Review and evaluate biological and fishery information on 4X5Y Cod.  In particular, provide the following information and highlight any trends:

• Fishery landings from previous years;
• Research vessel (RV) survey biomass and length composition;
• Age-structured indices of abundance; and
• Total mortality (Z) and relative fishing mortality (F).

Expected Publications

• CSAS Science Response

Participation

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

References

COSEWIC. 2003. COSEWIC assessment and update status report on the Atlantic Cod Gadus morhua in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada.  Ottawa. Xi +76 pp.

COSEWIC. 2010. COSEWIC assessment and update status report on the Atlantic Cod Gadus morhua in Canada. Committee on the Status of Engangered Wildlife in Canada.  Ottawa. Xi +105 pp.

DFO. 2011.Recovery Potential Assessment (RPA) for the Southern Designatable Unit (NAFO Divs. 4X5Yb and 5Zjm) of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Advis. Rep. 2011/034.