Terms of Reference

Meeting of the Newfoundland and Labrador/Central and Arctic Zonal Advisory Process (ZAP) on Northern Shrimp

March 24-26, 2010

Battery Hotel and Suites
100 Signal Hill Rd., St. John's NL

March 29-31, 2010¹

80 East White Hills Road
St. John's, NL

Chairperson: Karen Dwyer

Context

The status of Northern Shrimp in Shrimp Fishing Areas (SFAs) 0, 2 to 6 (NAFO Divisions 0B to 3K) was last assessed in March 2008. The 2010 assessment also includes Striped Shrimp in SFAs 2 and 3.

The current assessment is requested by Fisheries and Aquaculture Management to provide harvest advice for 2010 and 2011.

These stocks will be assessed in a zonal advisory meeting (ZAP) every two years.

Objectives

• Overview of the environment in relation to shrimp population dynamics
• Assessment of Northern Shrimp in SFAs 4 to 6 (Divisions 2G to 3K)
• Assessment of Northern and Striped Shrimp in SFAs 0, 2, and 3
• Given that the relative exploitation rate in SFA 2, which includes both commercial (5250t) and exploratory (3500t) areas, Resource Management (NHQ) is requesting a range of options, with associated relative exploitation rates, to allow a portion of the quota currently allocated for commercial fishing to be harvested in the exploratory area, on a discretionary basis.

Products

Two Science Advisory Reports (SARs) will be produced during the zonal Northern Shrimp assessment: Newfoundland and Labrador Region will produce a SAR for Shrimp Fishing Area (SFA) 4 - Division 2G, SFA 5 - Hopedale and Cartwright Channels and SFA 6 - Hawke Channel + Division 3K. Central and Arctic Region will produce a SAR for SFAs 0, 2 and 3.

Associated research documents will also be produced to support these SARs. A Proceedings document will record the meeting discussions.

Participation

The following individuals with knowledge of the shrimp fishery and/or shrimp biology have been invited to participate in this meeting:

• DFO Science, Newfoundland and Labrador, Central and Arctic and NCR
• DFO Fisheries and Aquaculture Management, Newfoundland and Labrador and Central and Arctic and NCR
• Industry
• Fish, Food and Allied Workers
• Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
• Government of Nunavut
• Nunavut Wildlife Management Board
• Nunavik Marine Region Wildlife Board
• Memorial University
• Members of the public

¹A second week has been planned to word craft the complete text of the SARs. Summary bullets for each stock will be agreed upon in plenary during the March 24-26, 2010 meeting. ZAP participants are encouraged to attend the second week of discussions and assist in the drafting of the SAR.