Terms of Reference

Update of Stock Status for Scallop in Subarea 20A in the Magdalen Islands in 2024

Regional Peer Review - Quebec Region

March 14, 2025

Virtual

Chairperson: Charley Cyr

Context

The Fishery management sector of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has requested a stock assessment update for the Magdalen Islands Subarea 20A Scallop as well as an advice on the maximal authorized level of effort for the fishing season 2025 based on the decision rules.

The last stock status update was carried out in 2024 (DFO 2024). The last stock assessment and review of the precautionary approach was carried out in 2023 (DFO 2023).

Objectives

Provide updates on:

• Interim stock indicators (landings and catch per unit of effort) and DFO survey (scallop density according to different size classes).
• Advice on the maximal authorized level of effort based on the decision rules for the 2025 fishing season.

Expected Publications

• Science Response

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO, Science sector)

References

• DFO. 2023. Scallop stocks assessment in Quebec coastal waters in 2022. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2023/034.
• DFO. 2024. Update of Stock Status Indicators for Scallop in Subarea 20A in the Magdalen Islands. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2024/014.