Terms of Reference

Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (CFAs 12, 12E, 12F, 19) Snow Crab (Chionoecetes opilio) Stock Assessment in 2023

Regional Peer Review - Gulf Region

January 23-24, 2024

Moncton, NB

Chairperson: Nicolas Rolland

Context

The Fisheries and Harbour Management sector of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has requested a stock status and fishery advice for the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (sGSL) (CFAs 12, 12E, 12F, 19) snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio). This stock is prescribed under section 6 of the Fisheries Act.

This stock is on an annual assessment cycle and was last assessed in January 2023 (DFO 2023).

Objectives

Develop peer-reviewed science advice for the management of the snow crab fishery in the sGSL biological unit for the 2024 fishing season.

Provide advice on:

• Stock status and trends with respect to the stock’s reference points, taking into account assumptions regarding stock structure and distribution. Including the historical and recent trajectory of both stock and fishing indicators such as commercial and spawning stock biomass from the 2023 post-fishery snow crab trawl survey, commercial landings, recruitment, and mortality rates.
• Environmental and climate change considerations affecting the stock and the expected influence on snow crab habitat and distribution.

Evaluate or provide estimates of:

• Outputs of Harvest Decision Rule (DFO 2014) for the stock for the 2024 fishing season and the catch option that corresponds to the target exploitation rate.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Research Document

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science and Fisheries and Harbour Management)
• Provincial governments
• Stakeholders
• Indigenous communities/organizations
• External experts

References

• DFO. 2014. Assessment of candidate harvest decision rules for compliance to the Precautionary Approach framework for the snow crab fishery in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2014/007.
• DFO. 2023. Assessment of snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (Areas 12, 12E, 12F and 19) in 2022 and advice for the 2023 fishery. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2023/017.