Terms of Reference

Stock Assessment for Northern Shrimp (P. borealis) in SFAs 4, 5, and 6 for the 2024-25 fishing season

Regional Peer Review - Newfoundland and Labrador Region

March 12-15, 2024

St. John's, NL

Chairperson: Aaron Adamack

Context

The Fisheries Resource Management sector of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has requested the current assessment of Northern Shrimp (Pandalus borealis) in Shrimp Fishing Areas (SFAs) 4, 5, and 6 as the basis for harvest advice for the 2024/2025 fishing season. Northern Shrimp in SFA 6 is prescribed under section 6 of the Fisheries Act.

The status of Northern Shrimp in SFA 4 has been assessed annually since 2015 and was last assessed in March 2023 (DFO, in prep ). The status of Northern Shrimp in SFAs 5 & 6 has been assessed annually from 2015-2022 and was last assessed in February 2022 (DFO, 2023). Approved conversion factors from the July 2023 Comparative Fishing CSAS peer review meeting will be applied (DFO, 2024)

Objectives

For each SFA provide advice on:

• Stock status and trends, taking into account assumptions regarding stock structure and distribution. Include the historical and recent trajectory of both stock and fishing indicators.
• Environmental and climate change considerations affecting the stock, such as oceanographic conditions, biological community structure and trends, and pertinent knowledge of ecological interactions (e.g. predator, prey) and stressors (e.g. anthropogenic impacts).

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Research Document

Expected Participation

• DFO - Science and Resource Management Branches
• Government of Newfoundland and Labrador - Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
• Government of Nunatsiavut
• Indigenous groups
• Fishing Industry
• Academia
• Non-Government Organizations
• Other Invited Experts

References

• DFO. 2023. Assessment of Northern Shrimp (Pandalus borealis) in Shrimp Fishing Areas 4-6 in 2021. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2023/038.
• DFO. 2024. Newfoundland & Labrador Comparative Fishing Analysis – Part 1. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2024/002.
• DFO. In prep. An Assessment of Northern Shrimp (Pandalus borealis) and Striped Shrimp (Pandalus montagui) in Shrimp Fishing Area (SFA) 4 in 2022 and Evaluation of a Proposed Limit Reference Point (LRP) for Striped Shrimp in SFA 4. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep.