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Assessment of Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (NAFO Div. 4T-4Vn (Nov. – April))

Regional Peer Review – Gulf Region

March 12, 2015
Moncton, New Brunswick

Chairperson: Marc Lanteinge (DFO Gulf Region)

Context

The last full assessment of the Atlantic cod stock in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (Gadus morhua; NAFO Div. 4T-4Vn Nov-April) was completed in February 2009 (DFO 2009). In addition, a Recovery Potential Assessment (RPA) was conducted in February 2011 (DFO 2011). Both these analyses led to the conclusion that adult biomass in this stock was at the lowest level observed in the 60-year record and well below the limit reference point for this stock, the level below which the stock is considered to have suffered serious harm to its productivity. Research Vessel and sentinel biomass indices for pre-commercial and commercial sizes of Atlantic cod in recent years indicate that there has been no improvement in biomass since the last assessment and the commercial biomass remains at record low level (DFO 2014).

The directed fishery for southern Gulf cod (NAFO Div. 4T-4Vn Nov-April) was closed in 1994-1997, 2003, and has remained closed since 2009. A total allowable catch of 300 t has been provided to cover by-catch in other groundfish fisheries, a limited recreational fishery, for scientific purposes, and to cover negotiated Aboriginal food, social and ceremonial agreements. In support of DFO Ecosystems and Fisheries Management multi-year management approach and request for advice for a TAC decision for May 2015 to May 2019 for the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence Atlantic Cod, DFO Science Branch Gulf Region will undertake a peer review of the stock status of Atlantic Cod and develop management advice for the fishery on this stock.

Objectives

To develop science advice in support of the multi-year TAC decision for Atlantic Cod (NAFO Div. 4T-4Vn (Nov-April)) the following items will be considered.

Expected publications

Participation

References

DFO. 2009. Assessment of Cod in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2009/007.

DFO. 2011. Recovery Potential Assessment for the Laurentian South Designatable Unit of Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2011/028

DFO. 2014. Updated indices of abundance to 2013 for stocks of six groundfish species assessed by DFO Gulf Region. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2014/028.

Notice

Participation to CSAS peer review meetings is by invitation only.

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