Terms of Reference

Stock Assessment for the outside population of Yelloweye Rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus) in British Columbia in 2014

Regional Peer Review – Pacific Region

September 15-16, and 24, 2015
Nanaimo, British Columbia

Chair: Kate Rutherford

Context

Yelloweye Rockfish is a significant species within the rockfish hook and line, halibut, lingcod, and dogfish commercial fisheries, recreational fisheries, and First Nations Food, Social and Ceremonial (FSC) fisheries.

In 2006, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) requested and received from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) a report summarizing the biology, life history, catch history and trends in Yelloweye Rockfish abundance. In November 2008, COSEWIC reviewed this report and designated the Yelloweye Rockfish (both the “inside” and “outside” populations) as a Species of Special Concern. Both populations of Yelloweye Rockfish have also been listed as a Species of Special Concern under the Species at Risk Act. The coastwide population of Yelloweye Rockfish was last assessed by DFO Science in 2001. The inside population of Yelloweye Rockfish was most recently assessed in 2010.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) continues to implement the Sustainable Fisheries Framework (SFF), which is a toolbox of existing and new policies for DFO and other interests to manage Canadian fisheries to conserve fish stocks and support sustainable fisheries.  The SFF includes conservation and sustainable use policies such as the Fishery Decision-making Framework Incorporating the Precautionary Approach (PA) which requires reference points and stock status zones (Healthy, Cautious and Critical); harvest strategy and harvest decision rules; and the need to account for uncertainty and risk (DFO 2009). Additionally, DFO’s Rockfish Conservation Strategy (RCS) is a system of management measures tailored to providing protection to rockfish, to alleviate further population declines. In support of the continued implementation of the SFF and the RCS to facilitate management of those fisheries where Yelloweye Rockfish catch occurs, Fisheries Management Branch has requested that Science assess the stock status of the outside population of Yelloweye Rockfish relative to reference points that are consistent with the DFO SFF. Updated harvest advice is required to determine if current harvest levels are sustainable and compliant with the PA.  

Objectives

Guided by the Sustainable Fisheries Framework, particularly the Fishery Decision-making Framework Incorporating the Precautionary Approach, regional peer review participants will assess the following working paper to provide advice on the specific objectives outlined below. 
K. L. Yamanaka, M. K.  McAllister, M-P. Etienne, and A. Edwards.  Stock Assessment for the outside population of Yelloweye Rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus) in British Columbia, Canada for 2014. CSAP Working Paper 2013GRF007.

1. Estimate reference points consistent with the DFO Precautionary Approach, specifically a Limit Reference Point, an Upper Stock Reference, a Target Reference Point, and a Removal Reference for the offshore population of Yelloweye Rockfish, using best available science.
2. Evaluate the current status of Yelloweye Rockfish relative to the recommended reference points from Objective 1.
3. Describe the sources of uncertainty related to the model (e.g. model parameter estimates, assumptions regarding catch, productivity, carrying capacity and population status) based on sensitivity analyses and, where possible,  explore the assumptions about catch, productivity, and carrying capacity.
4. Using probalistic decision tables, evaluate the consequences of a range of constant catch harvest policies to projected biomass relative to the reference points and additional stock metrics including projected biomass relative to current biomass.
5. Recommend an appropriate interval for reassessment of the offshore population of Yelloweye Rockfish.

Expected Publications

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

Participation

• DFO Science, Fisheries Management
• 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.