Terms of Reference

Stock Status Update of Arctic Surfclam

Regional Peer Review – Maritimes Region

July 8, 2022
Virtual Meeting

Chairperson: Rabindra Singh

Context

The Arctic Surfclam (Mactromeris polynyma) is a slow growing long-lived species found primarily in coarse sandy bottoms.  In the western Atlantic, they occur from the Strait of Belle Isle to Rhode Island.  The Arctic Surfclam fishery in the Canadian Atlantic operates on both the Scotian Shelf and the Grand Banks, with primary focus on Banquereau in recent years.  The Scotian Shelf and Grand Banks offshore clam fisheries are managed under an Integrated Fisheries Management Plan, with a total of 3 licences having equal access to quotas in both areas through Enterprise Allocations.

The Grand Bank and Banquereau Arctic Surfclam stock was assessed in 2017 using a spatially disaggregated surplus production model (Hubley and Heaslip 2018, DFO 2017).  This regional science response process updates fishery information, previously identified secondary indicators (DFO 2017) to the end of the 2021 fishing season for both Banks and model results for Banquereau and assesses them against agreed upon reference points.

In support of the decision-making for the 2023 fishery, DFO Maritimes Resource Management has requested an assessment of resource status from DFO Maritimes Science.

Objectives

The objective of this regional science response process is to: update fisheries information, stock status indicators, and ensure they have been accurately assessed against agreed upon reference points:

• Update recent fisheries information for Banquereau and Grand Bank stocks, including:
• Landings
• Effort
• Fishery footprint
• Catch Per Unit Effort
• At-sea observer data
• Evaluate the current stock status of the total fished area and the five proposed assessment areas on Banquereau.

Expected Publications

• Science Response

Expected Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Resource Management

References

• DFO. 2017. Assessment of the Arctic Surfclam (Mactromeris polynyma) Stock of Banquereau for 2016. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2017/047.
• DFO. 2017. Proceedings of the Regional Peer Review of the Assessment of Arctic Surfclam (Mactromeris polynyma) Stock on Banquereau; April 20-21, 2017. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Proceed. Ser. 2017/046.
• Hubley, B., and Heaslip, S.G. 2018. Data Review and Assessment Framework of the Arctic Surfclam (Mactromeris polynyma) on Banquereau and Grand Bank. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2017/069.