Terms of Reference

Stock Status Update of Haddock in 4X5Y

Regional Science Response Process – Maritimes Region

December 15, 2021
Virtual Meeting

Chairperson: Rabindra Singh

Context

In the Maritimes Region, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Fisheries Management requests an annual assessment of resource status for 4X5Y Haddock. DFO conducts a full peer-reviewed stock assessment for 4X5Y Haddock on a multi-year assessment schedule; however, in the interim-years, monitoring continues with Science providing an annual update on the status of this stock. In addition, DFO has conducted an annual Summer Research Vessel (RV) Survey in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization divisions 4VWX and a small portion of 5Y since 1970. Generally, results of this update and the annual RV Survey are used for discussion with various industry stakeholders on recommendations for management measures. However, since no calibration factor is currently available for the 2021 RV Survey, fishery information will make up a majority of this update.

Objectives

The objective of this Regional Science Response process is to review and evaluate biological and fishery information as well as provide updated advice on the status of 4X5Y Haddock. Specifically, the objectives are to:

• Provide the 2020 fishery information, including the catch-at-age, length composition, and weight-at-age, if available;
• Provide the most recent (2020 and 2021) information on the length of fish captured by the fleet; and
• Comment on changes in available biological and fishery indicators.

Expected Publication

• Science Response

Expected Participation

• DFO Science, Maritimes Region
• DFO Resource Management, Maritimes Region