Terms of Reference

Stock Status Update of Halibut in Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Fishing Area 3NOPs4VWX5

Regional Science Response Process – Maritimes Region

December 3, 2015
Dartmouth, NS

Chairperson: Lottie Bennett

Context

Science advice on the status of Atlantic Halibut in 3NOPs4VWX+5 was requested by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Fisheries Management. This information is used to inform the Scotia Fundy Groundfish Advisory Committee of the status of the Halibut resource in advance of setting the total allowable catch for 2016. The most recent assessment framework for 3NOPs4VWX+5 Atlantic Halibut stock was completed in November 2014 and is now being used to provide science advice (DFO 2015). The most recent stock status update was completed in December 2013 (DFO 2014).

Objectives

Evaluate and update trends in:

• abundance indicators, including:
• standardized catch rates from the DFO-Halibut halibut longline survey,
• stratified mean numbers per tow from the 4VWX summer groundfish survey
• landings, and
• fishing mortality estimated from tagging data.

Estimate the Total Allowable Catch for F = 0 .14 based on the q-adjusted halibut survey index of abundance.

Expected Publication

• Science Response

Participation

• DFO Science, Maritimes Region
• DFO Fisheries Management, Maritimes Region

References

DFO. 2014. Stock Status Update of Atlantic Halibut on the Scotian Shelf and Southern Grand Banks (NAFO Divs. 3NOPs4VWX5Zc). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2014/016.

DFO. 2015. 2014 Assessment of Atlantic Halibut on the Scotian Shelf and Southern Grand Banks (NAFO Divisions 3NOPs4VWX5Zc). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2015/012.