Science Response 2021/011

Update of indices of abundance to 2020 for Atlantic Cod (NAFO Div. 4T and 4Vn (November to April)) and American Plaice (NAFO Div. 4T) assessed and managed by DFO Gulf Region

Context

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Ecosystems and Fisheries Management has instituted a multi-year management approach for the Atlantic Cod stock of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (sGSL; NAFO Divs. 4T and 4Vn (November to April)). The last full assessment of the Atlantic Cod stock of the sGSL (Swain et al. 2019) was completed in March 2019 with advice for the May 2019 to May 2023 fisheries period. Following on the advice of DFO (2016a) and as identified in the advisory report for Atlantic Cod (DFO 2019a), an update of indicators of stock status is to be provided at the end of the year 2020, mid-way in the four-year assessment and fisheries management cycle.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Ecosystems and Fisheries Management has instituted a multi-year management approach for the American Plaice stock of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (sGSL; NAFO Div. 4T). The last full assessment of the American Plaice stock of the sGSL (Ricard et al. 2016) was completed in March 2016 with advice for the May 2016 to May 2021 fisheries period. An interim update of stock status was also completed in 2019 (DFO 2019b). This stock is currently under evaluation by the Committee for the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) and will not undergo a full stock assessment in 2021 as was planned in its 5 year assessment cycle (DFO 2016b). Instead, an update of indicators of stock status is presented to inform decision making until the COSEWIC report is published, which is expected to be in 2021.

This Science Response Report results from the Science Response Process of February 16, 2021 on the Update of indices of abundance to 2020 for Atlantic Cod (NAFO Div. 4T and 4Vn (November to April)) and American Plaice (NAFO Div. 4T) assessed and managed by DFO Gulf Region.

Science Response 2021/011 (PDF, 664 KB)

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