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Stock assessment for Yellowtail Rockfish (Sebastes flavidus) in British Columbia

Regional Peer Review – Pacific Region

November 18-19, 2014
Nanaimo, British Columbia

Chairperson: Rowan Haigh

Context

Yellowtail Rockfish (Sebastes flavidus) is a key species caught in the British Columbia multi-species integrated groundfish fishery.  This species is intercepted by mid-water and bottom trawl gear directed at mixed rockfish (Sebastes sp.) and is also caught as a non-target species in the mid-water trawl fishery directed at Pacific Hake (Merluccius productus).  Annual coast wide landings of Yellowtail Rockfish over the last 25 years are similar in magnitude to landings of Pacific Ocean Perch (Sebastes alutus), each of which accounts for about 25% of the total weight of rockfish landed by trawl.

Conventional stock assessments typically use fishery time series data to estimate current stock size and productivity.  Although good catch and biological data series are available for Yellowtail Rockfish in BC, the lack of a reliable, fishery-independent index of relative abundance has hampered stock reconstruction.  Existing abundance indices derived from modern surveys conducted in collaboration with industry use bottom trawl gear, which is not ideal for species like Yellowtail Rockfish that exhibit pelagic behaviour.  Consequently, indices of abundance derived from survey data are imprecise and likely biased.  Changes in annual index values suggest survey catchability varies widely.  Commercial catch rates are also unsuitable as a basis for indexing abundance because Yellowtail Rockfish are searched for acoustically before fishing.  Thus, there has been little improvement in the available stock indexing information since this species was last assessed in 1999 (Stanley and Haist 1997, Stanley 1999).

The Fisheries Management Branch of Fisheries and Oceans Canada requested advice on (a) the status of Yellowtail Rockfish coastwide and (b) harvests consistent with DFO policy.

Objectives

Guided by the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Sustainable Fisheries Framework, particularly the Fishery Decision-making Framework Incorporating the Precautionary Approach (DFO 2009), meeting participants will review the working paper:

Stock assessment for Yellowtail Rockfish (Sebastes flavidus) in British Columbia. (author order TBD) Kronlund, A.R., Starr, P.J., Olsen, N., Rutherford, K. CSAP Working Paper PAC_GF08_2014-15

The working paper will be used to provide advice with respect to the following objectives:

If possible, provide forecasts of the expected status of Yellowtail Rockfish relative to candidate reference points subject to a range of management actions (e.g., a range of proposed annual catches).

Expected Publications

Participation

References

DFO. 2009. A fishery decision-making framework incorporating the Precautionary Approach.

Stanley, R.D. 1999. Shelf Rockfish Assessment for 1998 and Recommended Yield Options for 1999. Can. Stock Assess. Sec. Res. Doc. 99/53. 57 p.

Stanley, R.D. and Haist, V. 1997. Shelf rockfish stock assessment for 1997 and recommended yield options for 1998. Can. Stock Assess. Sec. Res. Doc. 97/132. 76 p.

Notice

Participation to CSAS peer review meetings is by invitation only.

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