Terms of Reference

3Ps White Hake Stock Assessment

Newfoundland and Labrador Regional Peer Review Process

October 20-22, 2015
St. John’s, NL

Chairperson: Darrell Mullowney

Context

The status of the White Hake stock in NAFO Subdivision 3Ps was last assessed in 2002 (DFO 2002).  The current assessment is requested by Fisheries Management to provide the Minister with advice that will inform management decisions for the 2016 fishing season.

Objectives

• Provide an ecosystem overview (e.g., environment, predators, prey) of the stock.
• Assess and report on the status of the stock based on commercial fishery statistics (overall landing distribution, breakdown by fishing gear and directed species) and biological data resulting from the commercial sampling program (size structure).
• Analyze historical data from the research surveys up to 2015 (abundance index, biomass, recruitment, size structure and geographical distribution of catches).
• Identify Blim, or a proxy for Blim, for this stock and report on the current spawning stock biomass relative to Blim.
• 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.
• Perspectives for 2016 based on available indicators.
• Establish a full assessment review period as well as interim-year guidance.
• Provide guidance on inter-framework review activities, including the procedure and frequency of providing fisheries management advice and events that would trigger an earlier-than-scheduled assessment.

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 2002. White Hake in Division 3L, 3N, 3O and Subdivision 3Ps. DFO Science Stock Status Report A2-06.