Terms of Reference

Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence Northern Shrimp (Pandalus borealis) Stocks Status Update in 2024

Regional Peer Review - Quebec Region

November 28, 2024

Mont-Joli, QC

Chairperson: Hugues Benoit

Context

The Fishery management sector of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has requested a stock assessment update for the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence northern shrimp as well as a harvest projection for the next fishing season based on the decision rules proposed as part of the review of the precautionary approach. These stocks are prescribed under section 6.1 and 6.2 of the Fisheries Act.

The last stock assessment and review of the precautionary approach was carried out in 2023 (DFO 2023).

Objectives

Provide updates for each of the four stocks (Estuary, Sept-Îles, Anticosti and Esquiman) on:

• Stock status indicator in relation to reference points, i.e. the ratio between annual biomass and the value of biomass at maximum sustainable yield according to the surplus production model, as well as landings and indices of exploitation and recruitment rates.
• Ecosystem considerations.
• Harvest projections for the 2025 season based on different decision rule scenarios.

Expected Publications

• Science Response

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science, and Fisheries Management sectors)
• Fishing industry
• Indigenous communities/organizations
• Provincial governments
• Academia
• Environmental non-government organizations

References

• DFO. 2023. Review of the Precautionary Approach and Assessment of Northern Shrimp in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence in 2023. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2023/044.