Terms of Reference

Evaluation of Two-year Model Projections for Georges Bank ‘a’ and Browns Bank north Scallop Fisheries

Regional Advisory Meeting – Maritimes Region

March 30, 2021
Virtual meeting

Chairperson: Lottie Bennett

Context

The quota management system for scallop fisheries in the Maritimes Region depends on the timely provision of current year science advice. The present time frame between data acquisition and operational science advice enables the broad fisheries objective of maximizing present catches, subject to the constraints of a sustainable harvesting regime, to be achieved. In 2020, the Offshore DFO Science scallop survey was cancelled. In the absence of survey data, the use of two-year model projections is needed to update the stock status for the Georges Bank ‘a’ and Browns Bank north Scallop fisheries for 2021.

Objectives

The objectives of this meeting are to:

• Evaluate the productivity of the modelled stock areas.
• Evaluate the impact and uncertainty of two-year model projections on the science advice for Georges Bank ‘a’ and Browns Bank north Scallop fisheries using established reference points, harvest strategies, and indicators.

Expected Publications

• Research Document
• Science Advisory Report
• Proceedings

Expected Participation

• DFO Science
• DFO Resource Management
• Fishing industry
• Province of Nova Scotia