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Proceedings 2016/054

Proceedings of the Regional Science Peer Review Assessment of Incidental Catch in the Atlantic Canadian Swordfish/Other Tuna Longline Fishery; February 24-25, 2016

Chairperson: Kristian Curran
Editor: Kristian Curran

Summary

Incidental bycatch and discarding of non-targeted species occur in many fisheries. An objective of sustainable fisheries management is to manage discard mortality for targeted species and to control the incidental mortality for non-targeted species. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Maritimes Region, has undertaken research to evaluate incidental catch in the Atlantic Canadian Swordfish/Other Tuna longline fishery, with a focus on seven species: Bluefin Tuna, Porbeagle, Shortfin Mako, Blue Shark, Loggerhead Turtle, Leatherback Turtle, and undersized Swordfish. As part of the Regional Science Peer Review process, a meeting was held on February 24-25, 2016, at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, to review an assessment of incidental catch in the Atlantic Canadian Swordfish/Other Tuna longline fishery. The meeting was follow-up to a meeting previously held on this topic in July 2011 entitled ‘Incidental Catch in Canadian Large Pelagic Fisheries’. To guide discussion, one Working Paper was provided to meeting participants in advance of the meeting date on February 17, 2016.

Peer reviewers felt that the Working Paper was not of sufficient detail to fully understand the methods used in analysis. In addition, the analysis was not as extensive as it could have been, and it was recognized that the Terms of Reference for the meeting were too broad in scope relative to the available resources. As a result, the reviewers did not feel that a Science Advisory Report or Research Document could be completed for publication at this time. The reviewers and meeting participants provided comments on the science findings, and reviewers provided recommendations for additional analysis that could be pursued as next steps to advancing this research. All participants agreed that without sufficient observer coverage levels, both spatially and throughout the fishing season (i.e., high enough to observe/define spatio-temporal components of the fishery), it is difficult to reasonably account for spatial and temporal components/variation in the fishery with respect to incidental catch. Further, it was agreed that continuation of this research in a timely manner was viewed as a priority for the Department to pursue. The meeting Chair noted that this message would be communicated to senior science managers for consideration within the 2016-2017 science work plan (there was no resolution by the end of the meeting about if, how, or when this research may be completed).

Sincere efforts were made in the science peer review process to acknowledge and address all comments and concerns raised by meeting participants provided they were appropriate and within the confines of acceptable peer review practice. This Proceedings document constitutes a record of meeting discussions, recommendations, and conclusions.

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