Terms of Reference

Update of Stock Status Indicators for the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence Atlantic Cod Stock (3Pn, 4RS) in 2023

Regional Peer Review - Quebec Region

January 25, 2024

Virtual

Chairperson: Charley Cyr

Context

The last assessment of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) from the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence (nGSL, NAFO subdivision 3Pn and divisions 4RS) took place in February 2023 (DFO 2023). An update of key stock indicators is necessary in interim years to determine whether changes have occurred since the last assessment. The nGSL cod stock is one of the 30 major stocks covered by the fish stock provisions that came into force by regulation on April 4, 2022. This stock is in the critical zone of the precautionary approach since 1990 and a new rebuilding plan is being developed. The update will take into account the most recent information on the status of the stock and will inform the implementation of the rebuilding plan and the management approach for the 2024-25 fishing season.

Objectives

The meeting objectives are to review the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence (3Pn, 4RS) cod stock indicators, namely: 

• Updating commercial fisheries landings.
• Updating abundance indices from the DFO August survey and sentinel surveys with fixed gear (gillnet and longline) and with mobile gear (trawl) carried out in NAFO subdivision 3Pn and divisions 4RS.
• Advise whether a major change in the status of the stock has occurred since the last assessment.

Expected Publications

• Science Response

Expected Participation

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

References

• DFO. 2023. Assessment of the Northern Gulf of St. Lawrence (3Pn, 4RS) Atlantic Cod Stock in 2022. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2023/035.