Terms of Reference

Stock Status Update of Western Component (4Xopqrs5) Pollock Harvest Control Rules

Regional Science Response Process – Maritimes Region

December 13, 2016
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Chairperson: Lottie Bennett

Context

In the Western Atlantic, Pollock are found from southwestern Greenland to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.  Canadian fisheries for Pollock occur on the Scotian Shelf, eastern Georges Bank, and in the Bay of Fundy, primarily using otter trawl and gillnets (but also handlines and longlines). The faster-growing Western Component includes North Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Divisions 4Xopqrs and Canadian portions of NAFO Area 5. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and Industry moved towards managing Pollock in the Western Component using a risk management approach (Management Strategy Evaluation, or MSE) and associated Harvest Control Rule in 2011 (DFO 2011). The last stock status update for Western Component (4Xopqrs5) Pollock was conducted in December 2015 (DFO 2016).

Objectives

The objectives of this regional science response process are to:

• Review, assess, and update as necessary the Harvest Control Rules for Western Component Pollock using the most recent information from the DFO Summer Research Vessel Survey, US research surveys, and other information sources as appropriate.
• Provide the 2017/18 Western Component Pollock catch level generated by the Harvest Control Rule described in the 2011 Science Advisory Report DFO 2011/054.
• Update commercial catch at age, fish condition and mean length at age.

Expected Publication

• Science Response

Expected Participation

• DFO Science, Maritimes Region
• DFO Resource Management, Maritimes Region

References

DFO. 2011. Western Component (4Xopqrs5) Pollock Management Strategy Evaluation. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2011/054.

DFO. 2016.  Western Component (4Xopqrs5) Pollock Harvest Control Rule Update. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2016/002.