Terms of Reference
Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 41 Lobster Stock Status Update
Regional Science Response Process – Maritimes Region
October 14, 2014
Dartmouth, NS
Chairperson: Tana Worcester
Context
Lobster in Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 41 is assessed on a multiyear assessment schedule, with full assessments conducted every 5 years and Update reports produced in interim years. The last full assessment of LFA 41 lobster (to the end of the 2012 season) was conducted in January 2014 (DFO 2014).
The 2014 assessment identified 12 primary indicators that capture changes in lobster abundance, exploitation and reproductive potential. “Boundaries” were identified for each indicator. When interpreting the primary indicators, if all indicators remain above the upper boundary, the population is considered to be in the healthy zone.The stock would enter the cautious zone only if the abundance declined below the boundary and the size indicators also declined to below the boundary.
This Update reports on these indicators to the end of the 2013-14 fishing season.
Objectives
The objective of this meeting is to review the 2014 Update report and ensure that the approach agreed to at the 2014 assessment has been applied, specifically, to ensure that the following indicators have been accurately assessed against the agreed to reference points:
- Catch rates of lobster from the DFO summer Research Vessel (RV) survey and the DFO winter RV survey
- Catch rates of large female lobster from the DFO summer RV survey and the NMFS fall RV survey
- Median size of female lobsters from the DFO summer RV survey and the NMFS fall RV survey
- Median size of female lobsters from commercial at-sea samples (Southwest Browns, spring; Southwest Browns, fall; Georges Basin, winter’ Georges Basin, spring; Southeast Browns, spring; Georges Bank, spring)
Expected Publication
- Science Response
Participation
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science
- DFO Resource Management
References
DFO. 2014. Assessment of Lobster (Homarus americanus) in Lobster Fishing Area 41 (4X + 5Zc). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2014/034.
Notice
Participation to CSAS peer review meetings is by invitation only.
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