Terms of Reference

Update of Stock Status for Atlantic Halibut in 3NOPs4VWX5Zc

Regional Peer Review – Maritimes Region

December 6-7, 2022
Virtual Meeting

Chairperson: Melanie Barrett

Context

In the Maritimes Region, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Fisheries Management requests an annual assessment of resource status for a variety of groundfish species. DFO conducts full peer-reviewed stock assessments for a number of groundfish stocks on a multi-year assessment schedule; however, in the interim-years, monitoring continues with Science providing annual updates on the status of these stocks. In addition, DFO has conducted an annual Summer Research Vessel (RV) Survey in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization divisions 4VWX and a small portion of 5Y since 1970. Results of these updates and the annual RV Survey are used for discussion with various industry stakeholders on recommendations for management measures, with the results of the RV Survey used to determine which stocks should be reviewed in more detail.

Objectives

Review of biological and fishery information on 3NOPs4VWX5 Atlantic Halibut stock. In particular, update the landings, Research Vessel (RV) survey index of abundance and the halibut survey index of exploitable biomass to include 2022, the trend in fishing mortality (F) from traditional tagging, to monitor stock status and provide 2023 catch advice.

Expected Publications

• Science Response

Expected Participation

• DFO Science, Maritimes Region
• DFO Resource Management, Maritimes Region