Terms of Reference

3Ps Cod Stock Assessment

Newfoundland and Labrador Regional Peer Review Process

October 20-22, 2015
St. John’s, NL

Chairperson: Darrell Mullowney

Context

The status of Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Subdivision 3Ps Cod was last assessed in October 2014 (DFO 2015). The main objectives were to evaluate the status of the stock and to provide scientific advice concerning conservation outcomes related to various fishery management options. The current assessment is requested by Fisheries and Aquaculture Management to provide the Minister with detailed advice on the status of the stock in order to inform management decisions for the 2016 fishing season.

Objectives

• Provide an ecosystem overview (e.g., environment, predators, prey) for the stock area.
• Assess and report on the current status of the 3Ps Cod stock. In particular, assess current spawning biomass relative to baseline conservation thresholds (Blim), total (age 3+) biomass, exploitation rate, natural mortality, total mortality, and biological characteristics (including age composition, size at age, age at maturity, and distribution). Describe these variables in relation to historic observations.
• Further to the previous assessment, analyze recent year class strength relative to previous observations, as it relates to long term growth and sustainability of the stock.
• To the extent possible, provide information on the strengths of year-classes expected to enter the exploitable populations in the next 1-3 years.
• Provide annual projections to 2018 based on the assessment of trends in the abundance index, biomass index and other stock indicators, including associated risk analyses. Specifically, these analyses will include an assessment of the trends in the stock and in the risks compared to Blim.
• Highlight major sources of uncertainty in the assessment, and where appropriate, consider alternative analytical formulations of the assessment.
• Report on results of tagging and the distribution of this stock in other areas (e.g., 3L/3Pn).
• Summarize the data collected during the spawning closure in 2015.
• Calculate the suggested TAC as per the harvest control rules, which have been approved as part of the “3Ps Cod Conservation Plan and Rebuilding Strategy”.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Proceedings
• Research Document

Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science, Fisheries Management)
• Fishing Industry
• IFREMER (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea)
• Provincial Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (DFA)
• Academia
• Aboriginal organizations
• Non-government organizations

References

DFO. 2015.  Stock Assessment of NAFO subdivision 3Ps cod. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2015/001.