Terms of Reference

2J + 3KL Witch Flounder Stock Assessment

Regional Peer Review – Newfoundland and Labrador Region

May 9, 2018
St. John ’s, NL

Chairperson: Dawn Maddock Parsons

Context

The status of the Witch Flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus) stock in Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Divisions 2J and 3KL has been assessed by NAFO previously, most recently in 2016 (Maddock Parsons et al., 2016). The current assessment is requested by Fisheries Management to inform the development of management measures for the stock for the upcoming fishing season(s).

Objective

• Provide an ecosystem overview (e.g., physical and biological oceanography, predators, prey) for the stock.
• Report on commercial fishery statistics (overall landing distribution, breakdown by fishing gear) and biological data resulting from the commercial sampling program (size structure).
• Analyze historical data from the research surveys up to 2017 (abundance index, biomass, recruitment, size structure and geographical distribution of catches).
• Review current NAFO Limit Reference Point (LRP) and identify status relative to LRP.
• Identify indicators that should be evaluated during the years without a formal stock assessment.
• Evaluate the impact of maintaining or changing current harvest levels.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Research Document
• Proceedings

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science, Fisheries Management)
• Provincial Department of Fisheries and Land Resources
• Indigenous groups
• Fishing Industry
• Academia
• Non-governmental organizations

References

Maddock Parsons, D., Ings, D., Healey, B., Tulk, F. and R. Rideout. 2016. Witch Flounder in NAFO Divisions 2J, 3K and 3L. NAFO SCR Doc. 16/061. Ser. No. N6639: 33p.