Terms of Reference

Assessment of the Gulf of St. Lawrence (4RST) Greenland halibut

Quebec Region Science Advisory Process

February 22, 2010

Maurice Lamontagne Institute
850, route de la mer, Mont-Joli, Qc

Chairperson: Serge Gosselin

Background

DFO Quebec Science Branch reviews the status of some Gulf of St. Lawrence invertebrates and groundfish stocks in support of management of the fishery. Fisheries and Aquaculture management has requested a scientific advice on Greenland halibut in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (4RST) in 2010.

Objectives

Provide scientific advice on Greenland halibut (turbot) stock status to determine the TAC in NAFO Divisions 4RST for the 2010 fishing season. This advice shall include:

• Conclusions of an assessment of the turbot stock based on:
• • commercial fishery statistics following the 2009 season (overall landing distribution, breakdown by division and fishing gear, yields and catch rates) and biological data resulting from the commercial sampling program (size structure);
  • historical data from the DFO research survey up to 2009 (abundance index, biomass, size structure and geographical distribution of catches);
  • data of the July mobile sentinel survey (abundance index, biomass, size structure and geographical distribution of catches);
  • trends of abundance index and other available stock indicators (fishery, biology, etc.).
• Specific elements concerning the development of a scientific advice, such as:
• • an update of the condition and maturity indicators;
  • Mortality (unaccounted) in relation with soak time from at-sea observers data.
• The identification and priorization of research projects to be considered for the future.
• Perspectives for 2010 based on available indicators.

Products

CSAS Science Advisory Report on Greenland halibut in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (4RST).
CSAS Proceedings summarizing the discussion.

Participation

DFO Science and Fisheries Management
Fishing industry
Provincial representatives
Aboriginal Communities / Organizations