Terms of Reference

Newfoundland and Labrador Comparative Fishing Analysis for the Marine Vessel (MV) Calvert

Regional Peer Review - Newfoundland and Labrador Region

March 28, 2025

St. John’s, NL

Chairperson: Rick Rideout

Context

Multispecies bottom trawl surveys are conducted annually in the spring and fall in the Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Region using a Campelen 1800 survey trawl aboard Canadian Coast Guard Ships (CCGS). These surveys are used to estimate the distribution and abundance of many fish and invertebrate species, to determine species life history characteristics, and form the basis of a number of ecosystem indicators. Through a collaborative agreement between Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the Atlantic Groundfish Council, comparative fishing was undertaken between an industry trawler (MV Calvert) and the CCGS John Cabot to determine comparability of the Calvert for potential use supporting or complementing DFO survey capacity. Analysis and review of data collected during paired fishing operations in 2023 and 2024 are used to quantify differences in catchability between the MV Calvert and the current CCGSs in spring in Div. 3LNO.

Please note that this will be a highly technical meeting comparing the fishing efficiency of vessels and will not be touching on aspects related to stock or ecosystem trends or status. The influence of any derived conversion factors or lack of suitable conversion factors will be discussed during subsequent Regional Assessment Processes.

Objectives

Evaluate the results of comparative fishing between the MV Calvert and the CCGS John Cabot in the NL Region. To achieve this, specifically:

• Report on gear performance (e.g., trawl geometry) for the MV Calvert and compare to the CCGS John Cabot.
• Determine conversion factors for the MV Calvert in spring at the species-level where possible or at higher taxonomic groupings where appropriate following the methods described in DFO (2024), and for functional groups.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Research Document

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Ecosystems and Oceans Science
• Provincial Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
• Indigenous Groups
• Academia
• Industry
• Non-government organizations

References

• DFO. 2024. Newfoundland & Labrador Comparative Fishing Analysis – Part 1. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2024/002.