Terms of Reference

Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, NAFO Division 4T-4Vn (November-April), Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) Stock Assessment to 2023

Regional Peer Review - Gulf Region

February 20-21, 2024

Virtual Meeting

Chairperson: Tanya Arseneault

Context

The Fisheries and Harbour Management sector of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has requested a stock status for the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (sGSL) (Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) 4T-4Vn November-April) Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). This stock is prescribed under section 6 of the Fisheries Act.

The last scientific assessment for the Atlantic cod stock was completed in February 2019 (DFO 2019) and is on a four-year assessment and management cycle.

Objectives

The information will be used to determine if changes in management measures are needed in order to protect the sGSL cod stock.

Provide advice on:

• Stock status and trends with respect to the stock’s reference points, taking into account assumptions regarding stock structure and distribution. Include the historical and recent trajectory of the stock and fishing indicators such as spawning stock biomass, landings, recruitment and mortality (fishing and natural).
• Environmental and climate change considerations affecting the stock and the expected influence on stock status and trajectory.

Evaluate or provide estimates of:

• Population trajectories under current productivity (growth, recruitment, natural mortality) and assuming various bycatch levels (0, 50, 150 and 300 tonnes) of Atlantic Cod, and the corresponding probabilities of the spawning stock biomass being in the critical zone, the cautious zone, or the healthy zone of the Precautionary Approach framework for 2024 to 2028.
• As per DFO (2016), an interim-year update will be conducted to monitor any changes in the indicator that would trigger a re-assessment earlier than the scheduled four-year assessment cycle.
• Exceptional circumstances or assessment triggers for the stock are if the indicator biomass exceeds the scaled Limit Reference Point (LRP).

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report

Expected Participation

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

References

• DFO. 2016. Guidelines for providing interim-year updates and science advice for multi-year assessments. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2016/020.
• DFO. 2019. Assessment of Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (NAFO Div. 4T-4Vn (Nov. – April)) to 2018. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2019/021.