Terms of Reference

Review of the Maritimes Region Lobster Bycatch Program

Regional Peer Review – Maritimes Region

May 19–20, 2022
Virtual meeting

Chairperson: Tara McIntyre

Context

Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) Policy on Managing Bycatch was introduced in 2013. The policy requires systematic analysis of bycatch across fisheries and implementation of management objectives and measures where bycatch is a conservation concern.

Implementing the policy in the lobster fishery is a priority for DFO, as a variety of species are caught regularly in the lobster traps, and the fishery has been identified as a potential threat to the recovery of several depleted stocks. These include Atlantic Cod in Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Divisions 4X5 and Cusk, which have been assessed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada as endangered.

An at-sea data collection program was introduced in Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs) 33, 34, and 35 in 2018, and voluntary industry-led programs have been underway in several eastern Nova Scotia LFAs.

Resource Management has requested a review of the data collected in this program to provide estimates of incidental catch of key species, along with recommendations on improvements to sampling methods or targets, if required, to support the identification of gaps in monitoring activities.

Objectives

The objective of this meeting is to review summary statistics of at-sea data collected in Maritimes Region Lobster fisheries between 2018–2021, following standardized data collection protocols.

Specifically, the following objectives will be addressed:

• Estimates of incidental catch will be reviewed for the following key bycatch species:
• Atlantic cod
• Cusk
• Jonah crab
• Cunner
• Recommendations on improvements to sampling methods or targets will be provided, as appropriate.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Research Document

Expected Participation

• DFO Fisheries Management
• DFO Science
• First Nations
• Indigenous Organizations
• Fishing Industry stakeholders
• Provincial government representatives
• Environmental non-government organizations