Terms of Reference

Stock Status Update of Scallop in Scallop Fishing Area (SFA) 29 West of 65º30’

Regional Peer Review – Maritimes Region

February 13, 2024

Virtual Meeting

Chairperson: Rabindra Singh

Context

Harvesting of Sea Scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) in Scallop Fishing Area (SFA) 29 west of longitude 65°30’ (herein referred to as SFA 29 West) includes commercial and food, social, and ceremonial (FSC) harvesting. Scallop are caught using drag gear. The stock is assessed annually following methods described in the stock assessment framework (Smith et al. 2015). The last full stock assessment of SFA 29 West was completed in March 2015 (DFO 2015). The last stock status update was completed in 2023 (DFO 2023). In support of the Scallop fisheries in SFA 29 West, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Maritimes Resource Management Branch has asked Science Branch for an assessment of resource status and the consequences of various harvest levels for the coming fishing season.

Objectives

• Provide an update on the status of SFA 29 West Scallop stocks by subarea in 2023 in relation to established reference points where available.
• Summarize available bycatch of non-target species information and identify any notable changes in occurrence of these bycatch species relative to previous years.
• Evaluate the consequences of different harvest levels by subarea for the 2024 fisheries on stock abundance and exploitation rate in relation to established reference points where available.

Expected Publications

• Science Response

Expected Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Resource Management

References

• DFO. 2015. Assessment of Scallops (Placopecten magellanicus) in Scallop Fishing Area (SFA) 29 West of Longitude 65°30′W. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2015/035.
• DFO. 2023. Stock Status Update for Scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) in Scallop Fishing Area 29 West of Longitude 65°30’. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2023/027.
• Smith, S.J., Nasmith, L., Glass, A., Hubley, B., and Sameoto, J.A. 2015. Framework assessment for SFA 29 West scallop fishery. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2014/110. v + 69 p.