Terms of Reference

Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence Lobster (LFAs 23, 24,25, 26A,26B)

Regional Peer Review – Gulf Region

March 22-23, 2023
Virtual Meeting

Chairperson: Daniel Ricard

Context

In support of DFO Fisheries and Harbour Management’s request for advice, the Gulf Region Science Branch will undertake a peer review of the stock assessment framework and stock status of American Lobster (Homarus americanus) in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (sGSL). Information will be required prior to the Southern Gulf Advisory Committee.

Objectives

Develop peer-reviewed science advice for the management of the Lobster fishery in the sGSL.

1. Provide an updated framework for the stock assessment of Lobster in the sGSL.
2. Provide stock status indicators for each Lobster Fishing Area (LFA), when and where available, and position the overall sGSL stock in relation to the defined Precautionary Approach reference points.

Expected Publications

• Research Document
• Science Advisory Report

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Ecosystems and Oceans Science, and Fisheries and Harbour Management)
• Stakeholders
• Indigenous Organizations
• External experts

References

• DFO. 2019. Update of the stock status indicators of the American lobster (Homarus americanus) stock of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence to 2018 . DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2019/008.
• Rondeau, A., Comeau, M., and Surette, T. 2015. Assessment of the American Lobster (Homarus americanus) Stock Status in the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (LFA 23, 24, 25, 26A and 26B). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2014/036. xii + 92 p