Terms of Reference

Framework Development for Scallop Fishing Areas 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b, 26c, and 27b: Part 2 - Reference Point Development

Regional Peer Review - Maritimes Region

January 22-23, 2025

Dartmouth, NS

Chairperson: Tara McIntyre

Context

The Atlantic Sea Scallop, Placopecten magellanicus, is a bivalve mollusk that occurs on the continental shelf of the northwest Atlantic from the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence south to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. In the Maritimes Region, the offshore scallop fishery harvests stocks within Scallop Fishing Areas (SFAs) 25, 26, and 27. SFA 25 represents the stocks on Sable Bank and Middle Bank (SFA 25A) and Banquereau Bank (SFA 25B). SFA 26 represents the stocks on Browns Bank North (SFA 26A), Browns Bank South (SFA 26B), and German Bank (SFA 26C). SFA 27 represents the stocks on Georges Bank ‘a’ (SFA 27A) and Georges Bank ‘b’ (SFA 27B). Historically, these stocks have been managed using fishery and survey indices, except for SFA 26A and 27A, which have been informed by a Bayesian delay-difference population model (Hubley et al. 2011, Hubley et al. 2014, Jonsen et al. 2009).

A peer-review of the data inputs and population modelling component for the development of this assessment framework occurred in the winter of 2024 and resulted in a consensus on new survey indices for SFA 25A, 26A, 26C, and 27B, and new population models for SFAs 25A and 26A. In support of the requirements under the Fisheries Act’s Fish Stocks provisions and Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Precautionary Approach Framework, this second peer-review meeting will identify reference points and harvest control rules for SFAs 25A, 26A, 26C, and 27B.

Objectives

The specific objectives of this meeting are:

• To propose and adopt limit reference points for SFAs 25A, 26A, 26C, and 27B; and,
• To provide guidance on upper stock refence points, target reference points, removal reference points, and harvest decision rules.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Research Document

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada Fisheries Management and Science sectors
• Indigenous communities/organizations
• Provincial government representatives (New Brunswick and Nova Scotia)
• Industry Representatives
• Environmental Non-Government Organizations
• Academia

References

• Hubley, B., Glass, A., Reeves, A., Sameoto, J., and Smith, S.J. 2011. Browns Bank ’North’ scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) stock assessment. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2011/042. vi + 63 p.
• Hubley, P.B., Reeves, A., Smith, S.J., and Nasmith, L. 2014. Georges Bank ’a’ and Browns Bank North scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) stock assessment. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2013/079. vi + 58 p.
• Jonsen, I.D., Glass, A., Hubley, B., and Sameoto, J. 2009. Georges Bank ’a’ scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) framework assessment: Data inputs and population models. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2009/034. iv + 76 p.