Terms of Reference

Stock Status Update of American Lobster in Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs) 27-33

Regional Science Response Process – Maritimes Region

February 15, 2016
Dartmouth, NS

Chairperson: Lottie Bennett

Context

Lobster in Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs) 27-33 are assessed on a multiyear assessment schedule, with full assessments conducted every 5 years.  Framework and assessment meetings for LFAs 27-33 were held in February and July 2011. (DFO 2011a, Tremblay et al. 2011, Tremblay et al. 2012). The DFO Science move to provide annual updates came after the July 2011 meeting and the 2016 update will be the second for LFAs 27-33.

Landings based reference points are in place (DFO 2011b).  The 2011 framework and assessment identified additional key indicators and tabled candidate reference points but none were adopted.  This update reports on key indicators to the end of the 2015 fishing season.

Objectives

The objective of this meeting is to review the 2016 Update report and ensure that the following indicators are accurately assessed:

• Lobster landings
• Commercial catch rate of lobster
• Catch rate of sublegal lobsters in Fishermen and Scientists Research Society (FSRS) standard traps

Expected Publication

• Science Response

Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Resource Management

References

DFO. 2011a. Assessment of Lobster off the Atlantic Coast of Nova Scotia (LFAs 27-33). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2011/064.

DFO. 2011b. Integrated Fisheries Management Plan, Lobster Fishing Areas 27-38, Scotia Fundy Sector, Maritimes Region, 2011.

Tremblay, J., D. Pezzack, C. Denton, A. Reeves, S. Smith, A. Silva, and J. Allard. 2011. Framework for Assessing Lobster off the Coast of Eastern Cape Breton and the Eastern and South Shores of Nova Scotia (LFAs 27-33). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2011/058.

Tremblay M.J., D.S. Pezzack, C. Denton, M. Cassista-Da Ros, S. Smith, A. Reeves, A. Silva, and S. Armsworthy. 2012. Assessment of Lobster off the Coast of Eastern Cape Breton and the Eastern and South Shores of Nova Scotia (LFAs 27-33). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2012/022.