Terms of Reference

Update of Stock Status Indicator for Greenland halibut in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (4RST) in 2023

Regional Peer Review - Quebec Region

November 27, 2023

Virtual

Chairperson: Charley Cyr

Context

The Gulf of St. Lawrence (4RST) Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) stock assessment is conducted every two years and the last assessment took place in February 2023 (DFO 2023). In the interim years, Fisheries management asks for a brief review of the main resource indicator to determine if there are any major changes in the stock status that would inform whether adjustments to the management plan for 4RST Greenland halibut for the 2024-2025 fishing season are required.

Objectives

The meeting objectives are:

• To update the main stock status indicator for 2023, i.e. the biomass of individuals > 40 cm in the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence survey.
• To determine projected total removal according to the Precautionary Approach harvest control rule for the Gulf of St. Lawrence Greenland halibut in the event of a variation of more than 30% of the indicator.

Expected Publications

• Science Response

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science and Resources management sectors)

References

• DFO. 2023. Assessment of the Gulf of St. Lawrence (4RST) Greenland halibut stock in 2022. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2023/022.