Terms of Reference

Approaches for Evaluating the Proposed 3Ps Cod Conservation Plan and Rebuilding Strategy (CPRS)

Regional Science Special Response Process – Newfoundland & Labrador Region

June 28, 2012
WebEx and Teleconference (via St. John’s, Newfoundland)

Chairperson: Joanne Morgan

Context

International agreements such as the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement (UNFSA) and the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, as well as DFO’s Precautionary Approach Framework, call for the rebuilding of depleted fish stocks through application of the precautionary approach. In line with this, continued rebuilding and growth of the 3Ps cod stock is desired to ensure its long-term sustainability and to promote associated economic opportunities.

DFO NL Region, through a Working Group involving DFO Science, DFO Fisheries Management, the Provincial Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, members of the fishing industry, FFAW, and non-government Organizations, have developed a draft Conservation Plan and Rebuilding Strategy (CPRS) for the 3Ps stock of Atlantic Cod. The need for a scientific review was identified as one of the required next steps during initial discussions of the plan. A number of questions have been posed to determine if the plan is amenable to some form of quantitative review. This meeting will address these questions.

Objectives

The meeting will determine if:

1. the proposed Conservation Plan and Rebuilding Strategy (CPRS) for 3Ps cod is described in a form that would allow quantitative evaluation through simulation. If not, what modifications would be required to the CPRS?
2. the existing stock assessment method (SURBA) for 3Ps cod is amenable to quantitative evaluation of the CPRS through simulation. If not, could SURBA be modified to allow such an evaluation or could suitable alternative approaches be developed and applied to carry out such an evaluation?
3. where quantitative evaluation is feasible, whether the desirable management objectives of the CPRS are known and can be transformed into measurable performance statistics for simulation testing.

Documents for consideration in this process will include: (1) the 3Ps Cod Conservation Plan and Rebuilding Strategy - April 2012 - March 2016 (012712 Draft), and (2) draft responses to the objectives prepared within the SRR template. These will be circulated to participants in advance for review and discussion during the meeting.

Expected Publications

• Science Response

Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science and Ecosystems and Fisheries Management sectors)
• Memorial University of Newfoundland (Marine Institute)
• IFREMER