Terms of Reference

Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, NAFO Division 4TVn, Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus) stock assessment to 2023

Regional Peer Review - Gulf Region

March 19-20, 2024

Moncton, NB

Chairperson: Marc Ouellette

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) 4TVn) Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) spring and fall spawning components. These stocks are prescribed under section 6 of the Fisheries Act.

The last scientific assessment for the Atlantic herring stocks was completed in March 2022 to provide advice for the 2022 and 2023 fisheries (DFO 2022). These stocks follow a two-year assessment and management cycle.

Objectives

The information will be used to assess the status of the spring and fall spawning components of Atlantic herring in the sGSL and provide advice for the 2024 and 2025 fisheries years.

Provide advice on:

• Stock status and trends with respect to the stocks' 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 (SSB), total catch belonging to the spring and fall spawning components in both fixed and mobile gear fisheries, 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 levels of catch of each spawning components:
• For spring spawning herring, evaluate removals of 0-500 tonnes (t) in 2024 and 2025.
• For fall spawning herring, evaluate removals of 2,000-18,000 t in 2024 and 2025.
• 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 and 2025 as well as in 6 years (by 2029).

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science and Fisheries and Harbour Management)
• Fishing industry experts
• Indigenous groups and organizations
• External experts

References

• DFO. 2022. Assessment of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (NAFO Division 4TVn) spring and fall spawner components of Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus) with advice for the 2022 and 2023 fisheries. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2022/021.