Terms of Reference

Assessment of the Gulf of St. Lawrence (4RST) Atlantic halibut

Regional Peer Review - Quebec Region

February 21, 2017
Mont-Joli, Quebec

Chairperson: Bernard Sainte-Marie

Context

The directed Atlantic halibut fishery is mainly carried out by longliners. To protect the population’s reproductive potential, this fishery is subject to several management measures including the control of catches by a total allowable catches (TAC). Atlantic halibut represent a by-catch for other fleets, in particular the gillnet Greenland halibut fleet.

At the request of the fisheries management Branch, resource assessment is done every two years. The purpose of the review is to determine whether changes have occurred in the status of the resource that would justify adjustments to the management plan based on the retained conservation approach.

Objectives

Provide scientific advice on Atlantic halibut stock status in NAFO Divisions 4RST. This advice shall include:

• Description of the biology of Atlantic halibut and its distribution;
• A summary of oceanographic conditions in the Gulf;
• Analysis of the commercial fishing data including landings, fishing effort, catch per unit effort, biological data;
• Analysis of data from the DFO annual research trawl survey in August and sentinel fisheries;
• The determination of the process to provide advice during the interim years, including a description of conditions that may warrant a full stock assessment earlier than originally planned;
• Perspectives for 2017 and 2018 based on available indicators;
• Based on the assessment needs, setting research priorities for the next 5 to 10 years.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report on the Atlantic halibut in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (4RST)
• Proceedings
• Research Document

Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science and Fisheries Management sectors)
• Fishing industry
• Provincial representatives
• Aboriginal communities/organizations
• External experts