Science Response 2015/001

Summary of pink and spiny scallop survey results, 2000-2013 and moving towards precautionary approach reference points

Context

The Scallop by Trawl fishery is a small fishery authorized under a non-transferable exploratory licence. The fishery is quota based and catch is monitored through hail and logbook programs.

Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) is currently reviewing the status of this exploratory fishery and will be consulting with stakeholders on future licence options for the fishery. As part of the Exploratory Fishery Guideline for Pink and Spiny Scallops by Trawl, a number of conditions were established for the fishery to transition from exploratory to a full commercial fishery, including developing a consultative process, conducting stock assessment surveys, and developing Precautionary Approach (PA) compliant reference points and harvest control rules. 

In 2009, DFO began implementation of the Sustainable Fisheries Framework (SFF).  The SFF is an established suite of policies that provide the foundation for an ecosystem-based and precautionary approach to fisheries management in Canada. The policies will promote environmentally sustainable fisheries and support economic prosperity in the industry and fishing communities. One policy under the SFF, “A Fishery Decision-Making Framework Incorporating the Precautionary Approach” (PA Framework) (DFO 2009), provides guidance for applying the PA in the management of Canadian fisheries.

Fisheries Management Branch has requested Science Branch provide a summary of Pacific Region Pink and Spiny scallop trawl survey results from 2000 to 2013, along with commentary on the utility of these surveys, for moving towards PA compliant reference points.  Specifically, this Science Response is to address three objectives:

1. Provide summary of biomass estimates for each scallop bed surveyed and the uncertainty associated with the estimates from 2000 to 2013.
2. Present and comment on stock trends for each scallop bed surveyed from 2000 to 2013.
3. Provide commentary on the utility of the survey data collected to date for development of PA compliant reference points.

This Science Response Report results from the Science Response Process of October 2014 on the Review of Scallop by Trawl Experimental Fishery, 2000-2013.

Complete document (PDF, 150 KB)

Accessibility Notice

This document is available in PDF format. If the document is not accessible to you, please contact the Secretariat to obtain another appropriate format, such as regular print, large print, Braille or audio version.