Terms of Reference

Stock Status Update of Silver Hake in 4VWX

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 and evaluate biological and fishery information on 4VWX Silver Hake. In particular, provide the following information and highlight any trends:
  • fishery landings
  • research vessel survey biomass and length composition
  • recruitment index (age 1 from the RV survey)
• Run the accepted population model using updated data, providing new two-year projections, and stock status and exploitation rate with respect to adopted reference points.
• Provide bycatch information for Gaspereau, Shad, Herring, Mackerel, Squid and other commonly caught species.

Expected Publications

• Science Response

Expected Participation

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