Terms of Reference

Assessment of SFA 29 West of 65º30’ Scallop

Regional Peer Review - Maritimes Region

March 24, 2015
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Chairperson: Kristian Curran

Context

This scallop fishery has taken place in the portion of SFA 29 west of longitude 65°30’W since 2001. The Full Bay scallop fleet was the sole participant in 2001. Starting in 2002, the total allowable catch (TAC) was shared between the Full Bay fleet and a limited number of inshore East of Baccaro (EoB) licence holders who are eligible to fish in SFA 29 West. As of 2010, the TAC and landings are reported as totals by subarea for both fleets combined. In support of the fishery for SFA 29 west of 65º30’ scallop, DFO Maritimes Fisheries and Aquaculture Management Branch has asked Science Branch for an assessment of resource status and the consequences of various harvest levels for the coming fishing season. This meeting is a scientific review of the assessment and projections undertaken in support of the 2015 fishery. The last assessment of the fishery was completed on March 13, 2014 (DFO 2014). A science update was scheduled for SFA 29 West in 2015; however, due to observations from the survey in 2014 that the extremely high year class which prompted the closure of subareas C and D in 2014 did not survive, a full assessment has been triggered.

Objectives

• Assess the status of SFA 29 west of 65º30’ scallop stocks by subarea as of the end of 2014.
• Evaluate bycatch of lobster during the 2014 fishery. 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.
• Evaluate the consequences of different harvest levels by subarea during the 2015 fishery on stock abundance and exploitation rate.

Expected Publications

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

Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Fisheries & Aquaculture Management
• Aboriginal communities / organizations
• Provincial (NS and NB) governments
• Industry

References

DFO. 2014. Assessment of Scallops (Placopecten magellanicus) in Scallop Fishing Area (SFA) 29 West of Longitude 65°30′W. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2014/031.