Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s work plans for fiscal from 2017 to 2018 in response to recommendation 2.28, 2.63 and 2.65 in the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development’s (CESD)
October 2016
Report 2: Sustaining Canada’s major fish stocks: Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Introduction
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has developed three work plans in response to Recommendation 2.28, 2.63 and 2.65 in the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development’s (CESD)’s October 2016 Report 2: Sustaining Canada’s major fish stocks – Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The audit recommendations and Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s response to each recommendation can be found in the audit report.
The three work plans identify priority actions for fiscal year 2017 to 2018 to:
- Develop precautionary approach reference points and harvest control rules for the major fish stocksFootnote 1. This plan (work plan 1) is in response to recommendations 2.63 and 2.65.
- Develop rebuilding plans for major fish stocks that are in the precautionary approach critical zone that do not have a rebuilding plan. This plan (work plan 2) is in response to recommendation 2.28.
- Complete Integrated Fisheries Management Plans (IFMPs) for the major fish stocks that currently do not have an IFMP, update IFMPs as needed, and make IFMPs accessible via the DFO website. This plan (work plan 3) is in response to recommendation 2.28.
DFO will update the 3 work plans at the end of 2017 to 2018 fiscal year with new priority actions to be undertaken in the 2018 to 2019 fiscal year. The work plans and their 2017 to 2018 deliverables are described in the tables below.
Work plan 1: Precautionary approach reference points and harvest control rules
| # | Region | Fish stock | Description of deliverables (2017 to 2018) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maritimes | American eel (Adult) | Develop LRP by March 31, 2018. |
| 2 | Maritimes | American eel (Elvers) | Develop LRP by March 31, 2018. |
| 3 | Central and Arctic | Arctic char, Cumberland Sound | Develop LRP by March 31, 2018. |
| 4 | Gulf | Atlantic salmon | Develop LRP by March 31, 2018. |
| # | Region | Fish stock | Description of deliverables (2017 to 2018) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pacific | Southern inside coho salmon | Undertake work to refine reference points based on new science information. |
| 2 | Quebec and National Capital Region | Redfish Unit I and II | LRP refinements will be completed in conjunction with the management strategy evaluation (MSE ), which is anticipated to be completed by late spring 2018. |
| 3 | Newfoundland and Labrador | Northern shrimp SFA 0-7 | New assessment model under development which may lead to the review of reference points. |
| 4 | Maritimes | Gaspereau | Work planned to refine reference points based on new scientific information. |
| 5 | Maritimes | Lobster, Inshore LFA 34 | Work planned to refine LRP. The work is expected to be finalized in the 2018 to 2019 fiscal year. Following this the IFMP will be updated by March 31, 2020. |
| 6 | Maritimes | Lobster, Inshore LFA 35-38 | Work planned to refine LRP. The work is expected to be finalized in the 2018 to 2019 fiscal year. Following this the IFMP will be updated by March 31, 2020. |
| 7 | Maritimes | Lobster, Inshore LFA 27-33 | Refine LRP by March 31, 2018. Following this the IFMP will be updated by March 31, 2019. |
| 8 | Maritimes | Lobster, Offshore LFA 41 | Refine LRP by March 31, 2018. Following this the IFMP will be updated by March 31, 2019. |
| # | Region | Fish stock | Description of deliverables (2017 to 2018) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newfoundland and Labrador | Cod, 2J3KL (Northern) | Current timelines anticipate being able to develop Harvest Control Rules in 2017 to 2018 to inform the 2018 fishery management decisions. Targeting to complete work the 2018 to 2019 early fiscal year. |
| 2 | Gulf | Herring 4T spring spawner | Harvest control rules will be evaluated and implemented by March 31, 2018. |
| 3 | Gulf | Herring 4T fall spawner (fixed gear) | Harvest control rules will be evaluated and implemented by March 31, 2018. |
| 4 | Gulf | Herring 4T spring spawner (mobile gear) | Harvest control rules will be evaluated and implemented by March 31, 2018. |
| 5 | Gulf | Lobster Southern Gulf LFA 23,24,25,26A,26B | Harvest control rules will be evaluated and implemented by March 31, 2018. |
Work plan 2: Fish stock rebuilding plans
| # | Region | Fish stock | Expected date of completion (fiscal year) | Description of deliverables (2017 to 2018) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pacific | Yelloweye rockfish, inside/outside | By end of the 2017 to 2018 fiscal year | The rebuilding plan for the outside stock will be revised to include measures for yelloweye rockfish: inside. |
| 2 | Maritimes | Atlantic cod, 4X5Y | By end of the 2017 to 2018 fiscal year | Develop a rebuilding plan. The plan will document measures taken to minimise fishing mortality including the harvest strategy and multiple year quotas. |
| 3 | National Capital Region | Redfish Unit I | June in the 2018 to 2019 fiscal year | By the end of March 2018: management strategy evaluation (MSE) will be available. The MSE is a simulation computer model that is used to make predictions about the stock status and to test different harvest strategies. By the end of April 2018: MSE and rebuilding plan will be tabled at special meeting of the Gulf Groundfish Advisory Committee (GGAC). By the end of May 2018: MSE and rebuilding plan will be submitted for approval. |
| 4 | National Capital Region | Redfish Unit II | June in the 2018 to 2019 fiscal year | By the end of March 2018: Management strategy evaluation (MSE) will be available. The MSE is a simulation computer model that is used to make predictions about the stock status and to test different harvest strategies. By the end of April 2018: MSE and rebuilding plan will be tabled at special meeting of the GGAC. By the end of May 2018: MSE and rebuilding plan will be submitted for approval. |
| 5 | Newfoundland and Labrador | Atlantic cod, 2J3KL | 2018 to 2019 fiscal year | DFO is currently engaged in a process involving industry, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and NGOs to develop a rebuilding plan. It is anticipated that the rebuilding plan will be in place in 2018 to 2019 fiscal year, to inform the 2018 fishery management decisions. |
| 6 | Maritimes | Atlantic cod, 5ZjM | By end of the 2018 to 2019 fiscal year | DFO will start work to develop a rebuilding plan. 5Z cod is an international stock, managed through international science (Transboundary Resource Assessment Committee, TRAC) and management (Transboundary Management Guidance Committee, TMGC). The rebuilding plan will identify the harvest strategies and approaches taken to rebuild the stock. It is expected that the plan will be completed by the end of the 2018 to 2019 fiscal year. This plan will not require joint approval from the US, but would be communicated as part of an open and transparent relationship. |
| 7 | Maritimes | Yellowtail flounder, 5Z | By end of the 2018 to 2019 fiscal year | DFO will start work to develop a rebuilding plan. 5Z Yellowtail is an international stock, managed through international science (Transboundary Resource Assessment Committee, TRAC) and management (Transboundary Management Guidance Committee, TMGC). The rebuilding plan will identify the harvest strategies and approaches taken to rebuild stock. It is expected that the plan will be completed by the end of the 2018 to 2019 fiscal year. This plan will not require joint approval from the U.S., but would be communicated as part of an open and transparent relationship. |
| 8 | Gulf | Cod, Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, 4TVn | to be determined, pending completion of workplan in 2017 to 2018 fiscal year | Develop a work plan that includes compilation of data on the stock and fisheries on the stock to support the development of a rebuilding plan. |
| 9 | Gulf | Herring 4T (spring spawner) | to be determined, pending completion of workplan in the 2017 to 2018 fiscal year | Develop a work plan that includes compilation of data on the stock and fisheries on the stock to support development of a rebuilding plan. |
| 10 | Gulf | Plaice (American), Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, 4T | to be determined, pending completion of workplan in the 2017 to 2018 fiscal year | Develop a work plan that includes compilation of data on the stock and fisheries on the stock to support development of a rebuilding plan. |
| 11 | Gulf | White hake 4T | to be determined, pending completion of workplan in the 2017 to 2018 fiscal year | Develop a work plan that includes compilation of data on the stock and fisheries on the stock to support development of a rebuilding plan. |
| 12 | Gulf | Winter flounder, 4T | to be determined, pending completion of workplan in the 2017 to 2018 fiscal year | Develop a work plan that includes compilation of data on the stock and fisheries on the stock to support development of a rebuilding plan. |
| 13 | National Capital Region | Northern shrimp, SFA 6 | 2017 to 2018 fiscal year | Rebuilding plan currently in draft form. |
| 14 | National Capital Region | Mackerel (Atlantic) NAFO 3 and 4 | 2019 to 2020 fiscal year | Departmental working group meeting to consider draft objectives and components of a rebuilding plan. |
| 15 | Quebec | Iceland scallop, SFA 16ef, 18a | 2020 to 2021 fiscal year | Submit request to DFO Science for advice on the state of the stock to support development of the plan. |
| 16 | Quebec | Northern beluga (Nunavik) | 2020 to 2021 fiscal year | A meeting is planned with harvesters to discuss the development of a rebuilding plan. |
| 17 | Pacific | WCVI chinook | 2020 to 2021 fiscal year | Known rebuilding factors and threats will be summarized and later reviewed with stakeholders to begin discussion on development of a rebuilding plan. |
| 18 | Pacific | Herring Haida Gwaii (Pacific QCI) | By end of the 2018 2019 fiscal year | A meeting with stakeholders will be held to begin discussion on the rebuilding plan. The summary report from the workshop will aid in the development of a draft outline of the rebuilding plan. |
| 19 | Newfoundland and Labrador | 3Ps cod | 2020 to 2021 fiscal year | Begin process to conduct a science framework assessment for the stock. |
Work plan 3: Integrated Fisheries Management Plans (IFMPs)
| # | Region | Fish stock | Description of deliverable |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maritimes |
|
New IFMP: One “Inshore scallop IFMP” covering both stocks is in the final stages and will be finalized and posted on the DFO website in the 2017 to 2018 fiscal year. |
| 2 | Maritimes |
|
New IFMP: One “Groundfish IFMP” for these 10 stocks is under development. Anticipated completion by March 31, 2018. |
| 3 | Gulf |
|
New IFMP: “Rock crab in the Southern Gulf, LFA 24,25, 26A and 26B IFMP” will be finalized in the 2017 to 2018 fiscal year. |
| 4 | Gulf |
|
New IFMP: “Giant scallops in the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, SFA 21 to 24 IFMP” will be finalized in the 2017 to 2018 fiscal year. |
| 5 | Quebec |
|
New IFMP: IFMP will be finalized and posted on the DFO website in the 2017 to 2018 fiscal year. |
| 6 | Newfoundland and Labrador |
|
New IFMP: IFMP will be finalized in fiscal the 2017 to 2018 fiscal year. |
| 7 | Newfoundland and Labrador |
|
New IFMP: IFMP will be finalized in fiscal the 2017 to 2018 fiscal year. |
| # | Region | Fish stock | Description of deliverable |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central and Arctic |
|
The IFMP for Dolly Vardon will be updated by March 31, 2018. |
| 2 | Maritimes |
|
An update of the Elvers IFMP is anticipated to be completed by March 31, 2018. |
| 3 | Maritimes |
|
An update of the Offshore Scallop IFMP is anticipated to be completed by March 31, 2018. |
| 4 | Gulf |
|
An update to be completed in the 2017 to 2018 fiscal year. |
| 5 | Newfoundland and Labrador |
|
NL Lobster IFMP will be updated with a target of fall 2017. |
| 6 | National Capital Region |
|
Northern shrimp IFMP will be updated in the 2017 to 2018 fiscal year. |
| 7 | Pacific |
|
Update to IFMP by end of the 2017 to 2018 fiscal year. |
| 8 | Central and Arctic |
|
Final version of the IFMP for Atlantic walrus (Odobensus rosmarus rosmarus) in the Nunavut Settlement Area” to be sent to Nunavut Wildlife Management Board (NWMB) for final approval in 2017 to 2018 fiscal year. Signing of the final IFMP expected in the 2017 to 2018 fiscal year.
|
| 9 | National Capital Region |
|
Western Atlantic Bluefin Tuna IFMP will be updated in the 2017 to 2018 fiscal year. |
| # | Region | Fish stock | Description of deliverable |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central and Arctic |
|
IFMP will be made accessible online after approval, in the 2017 to 2018 fiscal year. |
| 2 | Maritimes |
|
Groundfish IFMP will be made accessible online, after completion by March 31, 2018. |
| 3 | Maritimes |
|
Inshore lobster IFMP will be made accessible online, after completion, by March 31, 2018. |
| 4 | Maritimes |
|
The offshore scallop IFMP is under development. Anticipated to be made accessible online by March 31, 2018. |
| 5 | Gulf |
|
Gulf of St.Lawrence groundfish IFMP will be made accessible online by March 31, 2018. |
| 6 | Gulf |
|
The herring in the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, herring fishing areas 16A to 16G IFMP will be made available online in fall 2017. |
| 7 | Newfoundland and Labrador |
|
IFMP will be made accessible , after completion of update, by March 31, 2018. |
| 8 | Newfoundland and Labrador |
|
IFMP will be made accessible online, after completion of update, by March 31, 2018. |
| 9 | Newfoundland and Labrador |
|
IFMP will be made accessible online by June 30, 2017. |
| 10 | Quebec |
|
IFMP will be made accessible online by March 31, 2018. |
| 11 | Quebec |
|
IFMP will be made accessible online by March 31, 2018. |
| 12 | Quebec |
|
IFMP will be made accessible online by March 31, 2018. |
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