Proceedings 2010/042

Proceedings of the Gulf Region Science Advisory Process on Reference Points and Assessment of Snow Crab from the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence; February 22 to 26, 2010

Chairpersons: G. Chaput and M. Biron

Summary

A regional advisory process meeting was held February 22 to 26, 2010, in Moncton (NB) to conduct a science peer review of the status of the snow crab (Chionocetes opilio) stock in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. The science review was conducted in response to a request from DFO Fisheries and Aquaculture Management (FAM) for advice regarding the development of reference points which would conform to the Precautionary Approach, the status of stock, and catch options for fisheries in 2010. Participants at the science review included science staff from the DFO Gulf and Quebec regions, personnel from DFO FAM, from the fishing industry, from provincial governments, from aboriginal communities and an external expert from the U.S. NOAA. Limit reference points and an upper stock reference point for the snow crab stock of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence were defined. The stock assessment for 2009 and catch options for 2010 were reviewed. The interim reference points, the stock status, and the catch options were summarized in two science advisory reports. Three supporting research documents are expected in support of the science advisory reports.

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