Terms of Reference

Assessment of Redfish Stocks (Sebastes mentella and S. fasciatus ) in Units 1 and 2

Zonal Peer Review - Quebec and Newfoundland & Labrador

March, 14-15, 2018
Mont-Joli, Qc

Chairperson: Martin Castonguay

Context

Redfish in Units 1 and 2 (Sebastes mentella and S. fasciatus) are part of a single stock and are distributed in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, as well as in the Laurentian Channel and Laurentian Fan Regions south of Newfoundland and northeast of Nova Scotia. Since the 1950s, three episodes of intense exploitation have followed the recruitment of one or a few strong cohorts. The lack of substantial recruitment and a significant decrease in stock biomass led to the establishment of a moratorium in 1995 in Unit 1. An index fishery has been authorized since 1998 and the total allowable catch is 2,000 tonnes (t) per year since 2006. In the 1990s, total allowable catches in Unit 2 have declined significantly and since 2006 have been at 8,500 t per year. In both units, total allowable catches have not been completely caught in recent years. From 2011 to 2013, the recruitment of three large cohorts was observed and genetic analyzes demonstrated that it consisted mainly of S. Mentella belonging to the Gulf of St. Lawrence stock. In recent years, the abundance and biomass of the stock has risen above the historical average and outside the critical zone. In the last assessment, it was anticipated that close to 50% of the 2011 cohort would reach commercial size (22 cm) in 2018 and size of sexual maturity (25 cm) in 2020 (Brassard et al. 2016), and redfish seem to be following their anticipated growth curve. The imminent approach to recruitment of these fish into the commercial fishery therefore requires a review of available data to facilitate decision-making by fisheries management.

Objective

Provide scientific advice on the status of Units 1 and 2 redfish stocks. Whenever possible, assess separately the status of Sebastes mentella and S. fasciatus in Units 1 and 2. This advice will include:

• A description of the biology and distribution of redfish in Units 1 and 2;
• A summary of oceanographic and ecosystem conditions;
• A description of the redfish fishery including landings, fishing effort, catch per unit effort, biological data, and bycatch of other species in the redfish fishery;
• An update of abundance and biomass indices from industry and DFO surveys (including size structure and geographic distribution of catches);
• The expectations for the impact of the 2011 to 2013 cohorts on stock status when these cohorts recruit to the fishery;
• The identification of basic elements to consider for the next assessment;
• The timing of the next evaluation year;
• The identification and prioritization of the elements to be improved and research work to be considered for the future; and
• An advice for the 2018 and 2019 fishing seasons based on available data. The scientific advice should consider both redfish species and the two management units (units 1 and 2).

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Proceedings
• Research Document

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science and Ecosystems and Fisheries Management sectors)
• Aboriginal Communities/Organizations
• Provincial Representatives
• Fishing Industry
• Academics and Other External Experts

References

Brassard, C., Bourdages, H., Duplisea, D., Gauthier, J., and Valentin, A. 2017. The status of the redfish stocks (Sebastes fasciatus and S. mentella) in Unit 1 (Gulf of St. Lawrence) in 2015. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2017/023. ix + 53 p.