Language selection

Search

Terms of Reference

Assessment of Southwest New Brunswick Ocean Quahog

Maritimes Regional Science Advisory Process

21 October 2011
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Chairperson: Tana Worcester

Context

DFO Science advice was last provided on inshore Ocean Quahog in 2005 (DFO 2005).  At this time, Resource Management wanted to know what harvest approach would be most appropriate to apply to specific areas in order to ensure long-term sustainable quahog fisheries under the auspices of a precautionary approach.  Given the low growth and recruitment rates of Ocean Quahogs, it was recommended that the Scotian Shelf quahog fisheries have some level of monitoring with a catch level set by F=0.33M  As the fishery progressed, it was suggested that estimates of virgin biomass and natural mortality would be refined, as would understanding of growth rates and age structure.  Surveys were conducted for SW New Brunswick in 2006 and 2007 under a 2006-2008 joint project agreement with industry.  It is expected that this assessment will provide information on the status of the resource in the surveyed areas and enable continued development and management of this exploratory fishery.

Objectives

Expected Publications

Participation

References

DFO. 2005. Expert Opinion on the Rationale for Harvest Advice on Ocean Quahogs (Arctica islandica). DFO Maritimes Region Expert Opinion 2005/04.

Notice

Participation to CSAS peer review meetings is by invitation only.

Date modified: