Terms of Reference

Assessment of the Gulf of St. Lawrence (4RST) Greenland halibut

Regional Advisory Meeting - Quebec Region

February 23-24, 2021
Virtual Meeting

Chairperson: Hugo Bourdages

Context

The Gulf of St. Lawrence (4RST) Greenland halibut (turbot) fishery is conducted by inshore fixed-gear fleets from Quebec and the west coast of Newfoundland. This fishery is subject to several management measures including a total allowable catch (TAC).

The current assessment is requested by the Fisheries Management Branch to provide detailed advice on the status of 4RST Greenland halibut in order to inform management decisions for this stock for the upcoming management cycle.

Objectives

Provide scientific advice on Greenland halibut stock status in NAFO Divisions 4RST. This advice shall include:

• Description of the biology of Greenland halibut and its distribution;
• An oceanographic and environmental overview for the stock area.
• Analysis of the commercial fishing data including landings, fishing effort, catch per unit effort, length composition, and Greenland halibut by-catches in other fisheries;
• Analysis of data from the DFO annual research trawl survey and mobile sentinel fisheries program;
• An assessment of current biomass, exploitation rate, and biological characteristics (including length composition, age at maturity, and distribution). To the extent possible, these variables will be describe in relation to historic observations.
• A presentation of the stock status in relation to the reference points of the precautionary approach in development;
• Analysis of by-catch from directed fisheries for Greenland halibut
• Perspectives for 2021 and 2022 based on available indicators;
• The determination of the process to provide advice during the interim years, including a description of conditions that may warrant a full stock assessment during these interim years;
• Highlight major sources of uncertainty in the assessment.
• Identification and prioritization of research projects to be considered for the future.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report on the Greenland halibut in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (4RST)
• Proceedings
• Research Document

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science and Fisheries Management sectors)
• Fishing industry
• Provincial representatives
• Indigenous Groups