Terms of Reference

Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) Update of Stock Indicators up to 2024

Regional Peer Review - Gulf Region

December 4, 2024

Virtual Meeting

Chairperson: Stephanie Ratelle

Context

The Fisheries and Harbour Management sector of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has requested an update of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (sGSL) Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) stock indicators.

The results of this science advice will support DFO's efforts to manage Striped Bass fisheries in the sGSL. The most recent peer-reviewed assessment of sGSL Striped Bass provided information up to and including the 2022 spawning year (DFO 2023).

Objectives

Provide:

• Updated estimates of eggs in spawners, spawner abundance, and biological characteristics of the Striped Bass spawning population of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence up to 2024.

Evaluate:

• Stock status and trends, taking into account assumptions regarding stock structure and distribution with respect to the stock’s reference points.

Expected Publications

• Science Response

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science and Fisheries and Harbour Management)

References

• DFO. 2022. Update of spawner abundance and biological characteristics of Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence to 2021. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2022/024.