Terms of Reference

Estuary and Northern Gulf of St. Lawrence Green Sea Urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) Stocks Assessment in 2024

Regional Peer Review - Quebec Region

April 1-2, 2025

Mont-Joli, QC

Chairperson: Virginie Roy

Context

The Fisheries management sector of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has requested science advice on the status of Green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) stocks in the Estuary and northern Gulf of St. Lawrence for the 2025 to 2027 fishing seasons.

The Quebec coastline is divided into 14 main Green sea urchin fishing areas. Only fishing areas 8, 9 and sub-areas 9-1, 10 and 11 are actively fished and managed under Conservation Harvesting Plans (CHPs). The last assessment of the Green sea urchin in the Estuary and northern Gulf of St. Lawrence took place in 2022 (DFO 2022).

Objectives

Provide scientific advice on the management of Green sea urchin stocks in the Estuary and northern Gulf of St. Lawrence (fishing areas 1 to 14) for fishing seasons 2025 to 2027 based on:

• Populations status and trends of Green sea urchin in the areas for which data are available such as landings, fishing effort, catch per unit effort (CPUE), the size structure of landed urchins.
• The most recent knowledge provided by research surveys on this species.
• Ecosystem and climate change considerations.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Research Document

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science and Fisheries management)
• Provincial governments
• Academia and external experts
• Indigenous communities and organizations
• Fishing industry
• Environmental non-government organizations

References

• DFO. 2022. Assessment of the Green Sea Urchin Stocks in the Estuary and Northern Gulf of St. Lawrence in 2021. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2022/053.