Terms of Reference

Meeting of the Newfoundland and Labrador Regional Advisory Process (RAP) on Northern (2J3KL) Cod

Clovelly Golf Club, Stavanger Drive, St. John’s, NL
March 27-30, 2007
and
EPS Boardroom, Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre
80 East White Hills Road, St. John’s, NL
April 2-4, 2007

Meeting Chairperson:
Don Power, Section Head, Groundfish Section, Aquatic Resources Division, Science Branch, DFO, Newfoundland and Labrador Region.

Context

The status of Divisions 2J3KL cod was last assessed in 2006. The current assessment is requested by Fisheries and Aquaculture Management to provide the Minister with detailed advice on the status of the stock and the implications of a possible small scale cod fishery on the inshore portion of this stock in 2007.

Objectives

Full assessment of the stock status of the following resource will be reviewed:

• 2J3KL Cod

Specifically, the following objectives have been set:

• Assess the current status of offshore populations, inshore populations and the stock as a whole. In particular, assess current spawning biomass, total (age 3+) biomass, exploitation rate, natural mortality and biological characteristics (including age composition, size at age, age at maturity, and distribution). Describe these variables in relation to historic observations.
• Highlight major sources of uncertainty in the assessment, and where appropriate, consider alternative analytical formulations of the assessment.
• To the extent possible with available information, provide information on the strengths of year-classes expected to enter the exploitable populations in the next 1-3 years.
• Assess the implications to stock growth of inshore fishery removals varying from zero to 2,500 t in 2007 and annually in the medium term (2007-2009). Implications are to be assessed in terms of a risk analysis, specifically, the risk of the beginning of year SSB not meeting a growth rate of (0%, 5% and 10%) for inshore populations, offshore populations, and the stock as a whole where possible.
• Assess the implications of conducting an inshore fishery on a bay-by-bay basis.
• Assess the impact of the 2006 Inshore Fishery One Year Pilot Project on the stock population and prospects.

In addition, an overview of ocean climate conditions during 2006, in comparison to the historical record, will be presented.

Products

A Science Advisory Report (SAR) and associated research document(s) will be produced. A Proceedings Report will record the meeting discussions.

Participation

The following participants are expected to attend:

• DFO Science, Newfoundland and Labrador and NCR
• DFO Fisheries and Aquaculture Management, Newfoundland and Labrador Region
• Industry Representatives
• Non-Governmental Organizations
• Fish, Food and Allied Workers Representatives
• Provincial Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
• Memorial University