Terms of Reference

Stock Status Update for Arctic Surf Clam on Banquereau Bank and Grand Bank

Regional Peer Review - Maritimes Region

September 12, 2024

Dartmouth, NS

Chairperson: Lottie Bennett

Context

The Arctic Surfclam (Mactromeris polynyma) is a slow growing long-lived species found primarily in coarse sandy bottoms. In the western Atlantic, they occur from the Strait of Belle Isle to Rhode Island. The Arctic Surfclam fishery in the Canadian Atlantic operates on both the Scotian Shelf and the Grand Banks. The Scotian Shelf and Grand Banks offshore clam fisheries are managed under an Integrated Fisheries Management Plan, with a total of 3 licences having equal access to quotas in both areas through Enterprise Allocations.

The Grand Bank and Banquereau Arctic Surfclam stock was assessed in 2017 using a spatially disaggregated surplus production model (Hubley and Heaslip 2018, DFO 2017a, b). This regional science response process updates fishery information, previously identified secondary indicators (DFO 2017a) to the end of the 2023 fishing season for both Banks and model results for Banquereau and assesses them against agreed upon reference points for Banquereau.

In support of the decision-making for the 2025 fishery, DFO Maritimes Resource Management has requested an assessment of resource status from DFO Maritimes Science.

Objectives

The objective of this regional science response process is to:

• Update recent fisheries information for Banquereau and Grand Bank stocks, including:
• Landings
• Effort
• Fishery footprint
• Catch Per Unit Effort
• At-sea observer data
• Update stock status indicators on Banquereau Bank and Grand Bank and evaluate them using agreed thresholds
• Evaluate the current stock status against agreed-upon reference points for the total fished area and the five proposed assessment areas on Banquereau

Expected Publications

• Science Response

Expected Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Resource Management

References

• DFO. 2017a. Assessment of the Arctic Surfclam (Mactromeris polynyma) Stock of Banquereau for 2016. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2017/047.
• DFO. 2017b. Proceedings of the Regional Peer Review of the Assessment of Arctic Surfclam (Mactromeris polynyma) Stock on Banquereau; April 20-21, 2017. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Proceed. Ser. 2017/046.
• Hubley, B., and Heaslip, S.G. 2018. Data Review and Assessment Framework of the Arctic Surfclam (Mactromeris polynyma) on Banquereau and Grand Bank. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2017/069.