Terms of Reference

Framework Review for 4X5Y Haddock: Part 1 - Review of Data Inputs

Regional Peer Review - Maritimes Region

October 17-18, 2023

St. Andrews, New Brunswick and virtual meeting

Chairperson: Tara McIntyre

Context

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) are caught as part of a multi-species groundfish fishery concentrated on the western Scotian Shelf (SS) and in the Bay of Fundy (BoF) in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Divisions 4X5Y. The fishery and survey data inputs have historically been separated for the SS and the BoF on the basis of differences in growth rates between areas (Stone and Hansen 2015). The last data review and modelling framework was conducted in 2016 (Stone and Hansen 2015, Wang et al. 2017). A virtual population analysis (VPA) model with fixed natural mortality time blocks on older fish, was chosen to provide catch advice (Wang et al. 2017). In 2018, projections from the VPA model showed large retrospective patterns and there was a mismatch between the model predicted biomass and the survey biomass (Finley et al. 2018). The VPA model has therefore not been used to provide catch advice or estimate stock status since 2018, and stock status updates have been provided qualitatively by comparing the survey biomass index to 40% and 80% of the 1985–2020 time series median.

This meeting is the first in a series of peer review meetings in the 4X5Y Haddock framework review, initiated by DFO Maritimes Science. The objective of the framework is to review appropriate data inputs, evaluate analytical models and reference points, and test the performance of harvest control rules using closed-loop simulation.

Objectives

The specific objectives of this first peer review meeting is to review and update the data inputs that will be used in the development of the modelling framework. This will include the following:

• Review current stock structure and evaluate whether there is a scientific basis for any changes in stock structure or management area for 4X5Y Haddock.
• Review the basis for separating the stock into regions (BoF and SS) based on growth rates and review how fishery fleets are defined.
• Review the commercial fishery data inputs: spatial and temporal distribution of the catch, fishery CAA, age-length keys (ALK), and fishery weight-at-age (WAA).
• Review DFO research vessel (RV) survey data inputs: biomass index, ALK, CAA, WAA, maturity, fish condition, relative annual mortality (relZ), and relative annual total mortality (relZ).
• Identify potential datasets that can be used to explore ecosystem considerations for the stock.

Expected Publication

• Research Document

Expected Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Resource Management
• Provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick
• Academics
• Aboriginal communities/organizations
• Fishing industry
• Non-government organizations

References

• Finley, M., Wang, Y., and Stone, H.H. 2018. Assessment of 4X5Y Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) in 2016. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2018/041. iv + 54 p.
• Hurley, P.C.F., Black, G.A.P., Comeau, P.A., Mohn, R.K., and Zwanenburg, K. 1998. Assessment of 4X Haddock in 1997 and the First Half of 1998. DFO Can. Stock Assess. Sec. Res. Doc. 98/136.
• Stone, H.H., and Hansen, S.C. 2015. 4X5Y Haddock 2014 Framework Assessment: Data Inputs and Exploratory Modelling. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2015/022.
• Wang, Y., Stone, H. H., and Finley, M. 2017. 4X5Y Haddock 2016 Framework Assessment: Modelling and Reference Points. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2017/026.