Terms of Reference

Assessment of the Status of LFA 27-33 Lobster Stocks

Maritimes Regional Science Advisory Process

21-22 July 2011
Dartmouth, NS

Chairperson: Ross Claytor

Context

The status of the lobster resources in Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs) 27-33 was last assessed in 2004. Fisheries and Aquaculture management has requested updated information on the status of the LFA 27-33 lobster stocks.  A framework meeting was held from February 1-3, 2011, to establish the scientific basis for the provision of management advice for these stocks (DFO. 2011). This current assessment meeting will provide an update of the status of the LFA 27-33 lobster stocks following the new assessment framework.

Objectives

• Assess the stock status of the LFA 27-33 lobster stocks as of the end of the 2010 seasons.
• Estimate the relative exploitation rates over the last 10 years and evaluate the consequences of maintaining the current harvest levels.
• Estimate the level of discards (including lobster) and retention of non-lobster species in the LFA 27-33 lobster fisheries and report on what information is available on the survival of discarded species.
• Estimate the current values for female size at 50% maturity.

Expected Publications

• CSAS Science Advisory Report
• CSAS Research Document(s)
• CSAS Proceedings

Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Fisheries Management
• Provincial representatives
• Industry, including Lobster Advisory Committee members and FSRS members
• NGOs
• First Nations

References Cited

DFO.  2011.  Proceedings of the Maritimes Region Science Advisory Process to Review the Assessment Framework for Lobster Fishing Areas (LFA) 27-33 Lobster; February 1-3, 2011. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Proceed. Ser. 2011/021: iv + 28p.