Terms of Reference

Fisheries and Oceans Canada Gulf Region (SFA 15-18) Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Update of Stock Indicators up to 2024

Regional Peer Review - Gulf Region

February 27, 2025

Virtual

Chairperson: Tyler Tunney

Context

The Fisheries and Harbour Management sector of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has requested an update of the DFO Gulf Region Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) stock indicators.

The results of this science advice will be used to support the management of the Atlantic salmon fishery in Salmon Fishing Areas (SFAs) 15-18. The most recent peer-reviewed status update of the DFO Gulf Region Atlantic Salmon provided information up to and including the 2022 spawning year (DFO 2023).

Objectives

Provide advice on:

• Updated estimates of the historical and recent trajectory of both stock and fishing indicators such as spawners abundance estimates, eggs per 100 m² and freshwater production for the Gulf Region SFAs up to 2024.
• Ecosystem and climate change considerations affecting the stock, such as water temperature and flow.

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)
• Provincial governments

References

• DFO. 2023. Update of stock status indicators of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) in DFO Gulf Region Salmon Fishing Areas 15 - 18 for 2022. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2023/035.