Terms of Reference

Stock Status Update of American Lobster in Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 41

Regional Science Response Process – Maritimes Region

October 22, 2021
Virtual Meeting

Chairperson: Rabindra Singh

Context

American Lobster (Homarus americanus) is found in coastal waters from Maryland to southern Labrador, with the major fisheries concentrated around Gulf of Maine and the Gulf of St. Lawrence areas. Though lobster is most common in coastal waters, they are also found in deeper, warm water areas of the Gulf of Maine and along the outer edge of the continental shelf from North Carolina to Sable Island.

Lobster in Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 41 is assessed on a multi-year assessment schedule, with stock framework and assessment science advisory processes conducted approximately every five years and stock status updates conducted in the interim years. The last stock assessment was conducted in September 2017 (DFO 2018) and was consistent with the assessment framework adopted in January 2017 (Cook et al. 2017).  The 2017 assessment was based on two primary indicators of stock status, commercial biomass from research vessel surveys and reproductive potential. A suite of contextual indicators was also provided to show broad trends and ecosystem changes.

This update on stock status to the end of the 2020 fishing season, and partial 2021 season, applies the suite of indicators from the 2017 assessment (wherever possible).

Objectives

The objectives of this Regional Science Response Process are to:

• Update the values for the primary stock status indicators and assess the status of the LFA 41 Lobster stock relative to upper stock and limit reference points.
• Report on observer coverage levels against targets, and summarize the level of incidental catch and the retention of non-lobster species

Expected Publication

• Science Response Report

Expected Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Fisheries and Aquaculture Management

References

• Cook, A.M., M. Cassista-Da Ros, and C. Denton. 2017. Framework Assessment of the Offshore American Lobster (Homarus americanus) in LFA 41. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2017/065.
• DFO. 2018. Assessment of Lobster (Homarus americanus) in Lobster Fishing Area 41 (4X + 5Zc) for 2016. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2018/004.