Terms of Reference

Stock Status Update for 3NOPs4VWX5Zc Atlantic Halibut

Regional Peer Review - Maritimes Region

December 10, 2024

Virtual

Chairperson: Tara McIntyre

Context

The Atlantic Halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) is the largest of the flatfishes and ranges widely over Canada’s East Coast. The management unit definition (3NOPs4VWX5Zc) is based largely on tagging results that indicate that Atlantic Halibut move extensively throughout the Canadian North Atlantic with smaller fish moving further than larger fish. Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO), Maritimes Region, Fisheries Management have requested advice to support discussions with stakeholders on recommendations for management measures and to support the decision-making process for management of the fishery.

Objectives

The objectives of this peer review process are to review and evaluate biological and fishery information as well as provide updated advice on the status of 3NOPs4VWX+5 Atlantic Halibut. The specific objectives are as follows:

• Provide an update of landings;
• Provide an update of the RV survey index of abundance;
• Provide an update of the Halibut survey index of exploitable biomass;
• Provide an update of stock status relative to the established reference points for the -stock; and
• Provide catch advice for the 2025 fishing year as generated by the harvest control rule.

Expected Publications

• Science Response

Expected Participation

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