Terms of Reference

Assessment of the Stimpson’s surfclam fishery in the Quebec’s inshore waters

Regional Peer Review - Quebec Region

March 14, 2024

Mont-Joli, QC

Chairperson: Charley Cyr

Context

Stimpson's surfclam (Mactromeris polynyma) fishery began in the 1990s in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Landings in recent years have been about 650 t and came mostly from the North Shore. The exploitation of beds is conducted using a hydraulic dredge, on sandy substrates located 10 to 60 m deep. Quebec waters are divided into ten fishing areas to which access is limited to a restricted number of fishermen. The effort is also controlled by a fishing season and catches are limited by quota. Until now, the adjustment of the quotas was done with caution due to the slow growth and the sedentariness of this mollusc. At the request of the Fisheries Management Branch, resource assessment is done every three years. The last Stimpson’s surfclam stock review was done in 2021. The objective of the review is to determine whether changes that have occurred in the stock status necessitate adjustments to management plans based on the conservation approach taken.

Objectives

Provide scientific advice on the management of Stimpson’s surfclam stocks in Quebec’s inshore waters (management units 1 to 5) for fishing seasons 2024 to 2026. This advice shall include:

• Description of the biology of Stimpson’s surfclam and its distribution in Quebec’s coastal waters;
• Description of the fishery including landings, fishing effort and management measures specific to the fishing areas;
• Description of the conservation approach used for this species;
• Analysis of catch per unit effort from the fishery;
• Analysis of data from the commercial sampling program;
• The calculation of the exploitation rate indicator and return on using the 3% threshold in the decision rule;
• Use of decision rules for adjusting the quotas;
• Identification and prioritization of research projects to be considered for the future.
• The determination of the process to provide advice during the interim years, including a description of conditions that may warrant a full stock assessment earlier than originally planned;
• Perspectives for the 2024-2026 fishing seasons in management units 1 to 5 (North Shore and Îles-de-la-Madeleine).

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Research Document

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science and Fisheries Management sectors)
• Fishing industry
• Provincial representatives
• Aboriginal communities/organizations