Terms of Reference

Fraser Sockeye (Oncorhynchus nerka) Wild Salmon Policy Evaluation of Stock Status: State and Rate
Stock Status Nass River Sockeye Salmon
Stock Status Nass River Chum Salmon
Stock Status Skeena River Chum Salmon

Pacific Regional Advisory Process

November 15 - 18, 2010
Nanaimo, British Columbia

Chairperson: Michael Chamberlain

Context

This Regional Advisory Meeting (RAP) will review four scientific working papers on Fraser Sockeye (36 CUs), Nass River Chum, Skeena River Chum and Nass River Sockeye.

The Fraser River Sockeye Salmon working paper uses the existing Wild Salmon Policy (WSP) toolkit presented in Holt et al. (2009) to evaluate stock status for various Pacific Salmon Conservation Units (CUs).  The working paper provides both a general background on Fraser Sockeye life-history, population trends and threats and a specific background on the history and data quality and quantity for each of the 36 CUs. This paper addresses required ‘Action Steps’ in the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFOs) WSP Strategy 1 (Standardized Monitoring of Wild Salmon Status). It specifically provides advice on the Fraser Sockeye Conservation Units (CUs) and data use, the benchmarks for abundance and trends in abundance metrics, and the stock status for each of the metrics used for the 26 assessable CUs. Abundance benchmarks estimated using different model forms that describe the stock-recruitment relationship (Ricker, Kalman Filtered Ricker model, Larkin model) will also be compared. 

Fraser Sockeye have been identified as one of the priorities for WSP CU benchmark development by the WSP Strategy 1 Steering Committee.  Further, formal WSP stock status evaluations are conditions of certification for the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). 

The objectives of the three North Coast reviews are to describe the current status of Chum salmon in the Nass and Skeena Rivers and Sockeye Salmon in the Nass River. The working papers represent the first formal review of status for Chum salmon in the Nass and Skeena Rivers and the first description of status for non-Meziadan origin sockeye stocks within the Nass River Watershed.  Information and advice presented in these documents and through the RAP proceedings will be used for the development of the 2010 Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP) and the Nisga'a fishing plan (Nass River stocks), and will contribute to the annual reporting requirements of the Marine Stewardship Certification (MSC) process. 

The following provides a general overview of the four working papers to be reviewed.

Fraser Sockeye (Oncorhynchus nerka) Wild Salmon Policy Evaluation of Stock Status: State and Rate

• The current paper updates WSP Strategy 1, Action Step 1.1 (the identification of Conservation Units (CUs)) and Action Step 1.2 (identification of benchmarks) and Action Step 1.3 (CU status assessment) for Fraser River Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) CUs.
• For each trends in abundance and abundance metric, the current state of each to the 26 assessable Fraser Sockeye CUs is compared to the associated benchmark and status was assigned.
• Abundance benchmarks estimated using different model forms (Ricker, Kalman Filtered Ricker model, Larkin model) that describe the stock-recruitment relationship will also be compared. 

Stock Status Nass River Sockeye Salmon

• The objective of this working paper is to determine the status of the individual sockeye stocks in the Nass watershed.  
• The paper represents the first formal stock assessment review of the Nass sockeye other than Meziadin origin sockeye.
• The report will include a  review of historic escapement patterns (from adult and juvenile surveys - aggregate and stock (CU) specific), aggregate exploitation rate reconstructions, review of data on stock specific run timing, a review  of Lake capacity studies, and a summary discussion of the status of each sockeye stock. 

 Stock Status Nass River Chum Salmon

• The objective of this working paper is to determine the status of chum stocks in DFO statistical Area 3.  
• There has never been a stock assessment review of Area 3 chum and the report will review historic escapement patterns (aggregate and by CU), and aggregate exploitation rate reconstructions. 
• The document will also provide a summary discussion of the status of the aggregate and each CU.
• Area 3 chum are identified as a conservation concern in the DFO Outlook, and chum recovery planning is a central focus of the MSC report and the IFMP. 
• The status of chum stocks has been identified by the Nisga'a as a concern.

Stock Status Skeena River Chum Salmon

• The objective of this working paper is to determine the status of the chum stocks in DFO statistical Area 4.
• There has never been a stock assessment review of Area 4 chum and the report will review historic escapement patterns (aggregate and by CU), and aggregate exploitation rate reconstructions. 
• The working paper will also provide a summary discussion of the status of the aggregate and each CU.
• Area 4 chum are identified as a conservation concern in the DFO Outlook and chum recovery planning is a central focus of the MSC report and the IFMP. 
• Area 4 net fisheries have been non-retention for chum in recent years.

Objectives

The objectives for the review of each working paper are to:

• Evaluate each paper to determine the appropriateness of the data and the methods used within the analysis;
• Identify and evaluate the sources of uncertainty and the assumptions used in analysis;
• Evaluate the conclusions and recommendations respecting proposed stock status and  benchmarks (Fraser River Sockeye) along with any other conclusions and recommendations in each paper; and, 
• Provide a synthesis of the working papers, conclusions and advice.  

Expected Publications

CSAS Science Advisory Reports (4)
CSAS Proceedings
CSAS Research Documents (based on Working Papers) (1-4)

Participation

DFO Science Branch
DFO Fisheries and Aquatic Management Branch
Non-Government Organizations
First Nations Organizations
Commercial and Recreational Fishing Interests