Terms of Reference

Assessment of Northern Shrimp in SFAs 4-6, EAZ & WAZ and of Striped Shrimp in SFA 4, EAZ & WAZ

Zonal Advisory Meeting - Newfoundland & Labrador Region and Ontario & Prairies Region

February 22-26, 2021
Virtual Meeting

Chairperson: Darrell Mullowney

Context

The status of Northern Shrimp (Pandalus borealis) in Shrimp Fishing Areas (SFAs) 4-6 has been assessed annually since 2015. Northern Shrimp in the Eastern and Western Assessment Zones (EAZ and WAZ, respectively), and Striped Shrimp (Pandalus montagui) in SFA 4, EAZ and WAZ, is assessed on a biennial basis. In Interim years, stock status updates are conducted.

The status of Northern Shrimp in SFAs 4-6 was last assessed in February 2020 (DFO in prep.^{Footnote 1}). A stock status update for shrimp in the EAZ and WAZ and for Striped Shrimp in SFA 4 was held in January 2020 (DFO in prep.^{Footnote 2}and DFO 2020).

Fisheries and Oceans Canada Resource Management has requested Fisheries and Oceans Canada Science establish a Limit Reference Point (LRP) consistent with the Precautionary Approach (PA) framework for Striped Shrimp in SFA 4.

Fisheries Resource Management has requested the current assessment as the basis for harvest advice for the 2021/2022 fishing season.

Objectives

• Review Striped Shrimp data and establish a LRP for Striped Shrimp in SFA 4;
• Assess the status of the stock based on available indicators for Northern Shrimp in SFAs 4 to 6 (Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization [NAFO] Divisions 2G to 3K);
• Assess the status of the stock based on available indicators for Striped Shrimp in SFA 4;
• Assess the status of the stock based on available indicators for Northern and Striped Shrimp in the EAZ and WAZ;
• Consider ecosystem status where the assessed stocks occur based on an overview including relevant summaries of oceanographic conditions, biological community structure and trends, and pertinent knowledge of ecological interactions (e.g. predator, prey) and stressors (e.g. anthropogenic impacts).

Expected Publications

• Regional Science Advisory Reports (2)
• Meeting Proceedings
• Regional Research Documents on Stock Status (2)
• NL Research Document on LRP

Expected Participation

• DFO - Science and Resource Management Branches
• Government of Newfoundland and Labrador - Department of Fisheries and Land Resources
• Government of Nunatsiavut
• Government of Nunavut
• Indigenous groups
• Fishing Industry
• Academia
• Other invited experts

References

• DFO. 2020. Stock status update of striped shrimp (Pandalus montagui) in SFA 4. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2020/016.