Terms of Reference

Maritimes Research Vessel Survey Trends on the Scotian Shelf and Bay of Fundy

Regional Science Response Process – Maritimes Region

November 30, 2015
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Chairperson: Lottie Bennett

Context

Although not all groundfish stocks are assessed each year, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science provide annual updates on the trends of some stocks to help identify any unexpected trends or other potential concerns.  This information is used by DFO Resource Management as background for their discussions with various industry stakeholders as they develop annual recommendations related to groundfish management.

The last update on Maritimes Research Vessel Survey Trends on the Scotian Shelf and Bay of Fundy was completed in 2015 (DFO 2015).

Objectives

Review and evaluate information obtained from the DFO Research Vessel (RV) Surveys on the Scotian Shelf and Bay of Fundy for the following stocks:

• 4Vn, 4VsW, and 4X5Y Cod
• 4VW and 4X5Y Haddock
• 4X White Hake (including five-year geometric mean of 42+ cm fish)
• 4VW White Hake (including five-year geometric mean)
• 4VWX Silver Hake
• Western and Eastern Pollock
• Unit 2 Redfish
• Unit 3 Redfish (including five-year geometric mean of 22+ cm fish)
• 4VWX Atlantic Halibut
• 4VWX Spiny Dogfish
• 4VW and 4X American Plaice
• 4VW and 4X Witch Flounder
• 4VW and 4X Winter Flounder
• 4VW and 4X Yellowtail Founder
• 4VW and 4X Atlantic Wolffish
• 4VW and 4X Monkfish
• 4VW and 4X Longhorn Sculpin
• 4VW and 4X Smooth Skate
• 4VW and 4X Thorny Skate
• 4VW and 4X Barndoor Skate
• 4VW and 4X Winter Skate
• 4VW and 4X Little Skate

In particular, provide information on distribution, biomass estimates, and length composition, highlighting any trends over the long-term (duration of RV survey), mid-term (past 15 years) and most recent period (5 years).

Expected Publication

• Science Advisory Report

Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Resource Management

Reference

DFO. 2015. 2014 Maritimes Research Vessel Survey Trends on the Scotian Shelf and Bay of Fundy. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2015/013.