Terms of Reference

Assessment of Striped Shrimp in SFA 4

Regional Peer Review Process - Newfoundland and Labrador Region

January 23, 2014
St. John's, NL

Chairperson: TBD

Context

Striped shrimp (Pandalus montagui) were last assessed within Shrimp Fishing Area (SFA) 4 during 2003. This species has been taken as bycatch within the Northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) commercial fishery since 1988, and has recently been taken as a directed species.  However, unlike Northern shrimp, this species has been fished without a dedicated management plan or a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) to date.

In support of DFO commitments made at the 2013 Northern Shrimp Advisory Committee (NSAC), DFO Fisheries Management has requested an update of the status of striped shrimp to inform sound management recommendations for the 2014/15 shrimp fishing season. An assessment of striped shrimp in SFA 4 will be used in the development of an initial management plan to support a sustainable fishery – including setting an interim quota.

A CSAS Regional peer review process is planned to provide an updated assessment of striped shrimp to fulfill this request. It is anticipated that this portion of the striped shrimp resource will be fully assessed on a biennial basis with the SFAs 4-6 Northern shrimp assessment in future years.

Objectives

• To determine female spawning stock biomass (SSB) of striped shrimp in SFA 4.
• To calculate the exploitation rate for striped shrimp in SFA 4.

Expected Publications

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

Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science and Fisheries Management Branches
• Province of Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
• Government of Nunavut Department of Environment
• Nunavut Wildlife Management Board
• Nunavik Marine Region Wildlife Board
• Nunatsiavut Government
• Torngat Joint Fisheries Board
• Academia
• Industry