Terms of Reference

Stock Status Update of American Lobster in Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 35

Regional Science Response Process – Maritimes Region

September 3, 2021
Virtual Meeting

Chairperson: Rabindra Singh

Context

Commercial lobster fishing in Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 35 takes place in the Bay of Fundy. Landings in LFA 35 began a long-term increase in the mid-1990s and current landings are near record highs (DFO 2021). This increase in landings also occurred in most of the Gulf of Maine region, as well as many other LFAs in Atlantic Canada.

The status of the lobster resource in LFA 35 to the end of the 2018-2019 seasons was assessed in October 2019 (DFO 2021). The 2019 assessment followed the methods outlined in the January 2019 Framework (Cook et al. In prep.) which recommended standardized Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) as the primary stock status indicator. Upper stock reference and limit reference points were derived for the primary indicator. Secondary indicators of landings, effort, and DFO RV (Fisheries and Oceans Research Vessel) survey trends for the Bay of Fundy strata were also estimated. This regional science response process updates these indicators to the end of the 2020-2021 fishing season.

Objectives

The objectives of this regional science response process are to update the primary and secondary stock status indicators. Further stock status will be defined based on the estimate of CPUE relative to the Upper Stock Reference (USR) and Limit Reference Point (LRP).

Expected Publication

• Science Response

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science
• DFO Resource Management

References

• Cook. A.M., B. Hubley, V. Howse, C. Denton. In prep. 2019 Framework Assessment of the American Lobster (Homarus americanus) in LFA 34-38. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. Presented and reviewed in September 2019 at the Framework Assessment meeting.
• DFO. 2021. Assessment of Lobster (Homarus americanus) in Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs) 35-38. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2021/020.