Terms of Reference

Assessment of the status of gaspereau stocks of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence

Regional Advisory Meeting – Gulf Region

April 20-21, 2021
Virtual meeting

Chairperson: Rémi Sonier

Context

In support of a request for science advice from DFO Fisheries and Aquaculture Management, DFO Gulf Science Branch will review the status of gaspereau (alewife, Alosa pseudoharengus; blueback herring, Alosa aestivalis) stocks of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. The most recent assessment was conducted in 2000 (DFO 2001).

Objectives

Assessment of the status of gaspereau stocks of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence including:

• Description of present and recent management measures and catches to the end of 2019, including best estimates of total removals by all fisheries.
• Overview of species biology and characteristics (for ex. size at age, age at maturity)
• Indicators of stock status and trends (commercial catch rates, fishery independent indices) by size and age group (if available)
• Estimates of total biomass as derived from population models for the Margaree River
• Estimates of absolute fishing mortality rates for the stocks
• Develop reference points by species against which to assess stock status
• Description of the impacts of fishing activities for gaspereau on other species and fish habitat
• Description of the impacts of fishing activities for other species on gaspereau stocks
• Description of ecosystem components which are modifying the species abundance and population dynamics (for ex. temperature, predators, prey)
• Develop indicators of stock status which can be used to inform fisheries management in the intervening years of the multi-year assessment and management cycle.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Proceedings
• Research Document

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Ecosystems and Oceans Science, Fisheries and Aquaculture Management sectors.
• Provincial governments
• Indigenous organizations
• Fishing Industry

References

• DFO. 2001. Gaspereau Maritime Provinces Overview. DFO Science Stock Status Report D3-17(2001).