Terms of Reference

Update of Trends from the Maritimes Ecosystem Research Vessel Survey - Scotian Shelf and Bay of Fundy

Regional Peer Review - Maritimes Region

December 10, 2024

Virtual

Chairperson: Tara McIntyre

Context

In the Maritimes Region, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has conducted an annual Summer Ecosystem Research Vessel (RV) Survey in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization divisions 4VWX and a small portion of 5Y since 1970. DFO Resource Management has requested an update of the survey trends for a variety of species/stocks to support discussions with various stakeholders and to be used for consideration when developing requests for more detailed advice on status of specific species/stocks.

Objectives

The objective of this regional peer-review process is to review the RV Survey Trends. The specific objectives are as follows:

• Review and evaluate information obtained from the DFO Summer Ecosystem RV Survey on the Scotian Shelf and in the Bay of Fundy. Specifically, update the RV survey trends document to include the available recent survey data for the following species:
• Cod, Haddock, Pollock, Silver Hake, Redfish, American Plaice, Witch Flounder, Winter Flounder, Atlantic Halibut, Yellowtail Flounder, White Hake, Wolffish, Monkfish, Thorny Skate, Barndoor Skate, Smooth Skate, Winter Skate, Little Skate, Spiny Dogfish, Sculpin, Blackbelly Rosefish, Black Sea Bass, Triggerfish, John Dory, and Tilefish;
• Provide information on distribution, biomass estimates and length composition, highlighting biomass trends relative to 40% and 80% of the long-term average;
• Provide a table reporting the biomass estimate for each species/stock for 2022, 2023, and 2024, as well as the averages; and,
• Provide the three-year geometric mean of the 42 cm+ 4X5 White Hake.

Expected Publications

• Science Response

Expected Participation

• DFO Science, Maritimes Region
• DFO Resource Management, Maritimes Region