Terms of Reference

Assessment of 4VWX Herring  

Regional Peer Review - Maritimes Region  

March 25-26, 2015
Dartmouth, N.S.

Chairperson: Mark Showell  

Context

Maritimes DFO Resource Management has requested that DFO Science undertake an assessment of the 4VWX herring management unit in support of the 2015/2016 fishery and, if possible, the 2016/2017 fishery. A new herring framework was adopted in January 2011 (DFO 2011a) followed by an assessment in April 2011 (DFO 2011b). Subsequent assessments occurred in February 2012 (Clark et al. 2012) and March 2013 (DFO 2013). The 2012 assessment was conducted as part of a broader review of Precautionary Approach Reference Points for a variety of fishery resources in the DFO Maritimes Region (DFO 2012). The most recent science advice was conducted as an update in March 2014 (DFO 2014).

Objectives

Review and evaluate biological and fishery information on 4VWX herring stock status to assist with establishing the final quota for the 2015/2016 fishery and, if possible, for the 2016/2017 fishery, as required in the Integrated Fisheries Management Plan, including but not limited to:

• An evaluation of the indicators for the southwest Nova Scotia / Bay of Fundy spawning component.
• A compilation and review of information regarding the offshore Scotian Shelf spawning component and the coastal Nova Scotia spawning component.
• An update on southwest New Brunswick migrant juvenile fishery component.
• An evaluation of the status of the fishery with respect to the conservation Lower Reference Point.

In addition, provide advice on the recovery and rebuilding of 4VWX herring, whether goals of the fishery rebuilding plan are being met, and review reporting procedures to be used for stock status updates until the next formal assessment.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Proceedings
• Research Document

Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Resource Management
• Provincial government (fisheries)
• Herring fishing industry
• Aboriginal communities/organizations

References

Clark, D.S., Clark, K.J., Claytor, R., Leslie, S., Melvin, G.D., Porter, J.M., Power, M.J., Stone, H.H., Waters, C. 2012. Limit Reference Point for Southwest Nova Scotia / Bay of Fundy Spawning Component of Atlantic Herring, Clupea harengus (German Bank and Scots Bay). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2012/025. iii + 14 p.

DFO. 2011a. Proceedings of the Maritimes Region Science Advisory Process on the Assessment Framework for Soutwest Nova Scotia/Bay of Fundy Herring; 24-28 January 2011. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Proceed. Ser.2011/031: iv + 28p.

DFO. 2011b. 2011 Assessment of 4VWX Herring. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2011/046.

DFO. 2012. Reference points consistent with the precautionary approach for a variety of stocks in the Maritimes Region. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2012/035.

DFO. 2013. 2013 Assessment of 4VWX Herring. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2013/045.

DFO. 2014. 4VWX Herring 2014 Update Report. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2014/029.