Update of stock status indicators for Quebec north shore (division 4S) herring in 2022

Abstract

The Fisheries and Aquaculture Management Branch requested scientific advice on the Quebec North Shore (NAFO Division 4S) herring stocks for the 2023 and 2024 fishing seasons. However, the assessment of these stocks, initially scheduled for March 2023, was cancelled to allow for a review of the assessment framework for northern Gulf of St. Lawrence (Divisions 4R and 4S) herring stocks in April 2023. At this meeting, the definition of the assessment unit was reviewed (inclusion of 4Sw with 4R), and the available data for the establishment of a new assessment model were reviewed. In order to determine whether there had been any changes in the status of the resource that would require adjustments to the management plan for the 2023 and 2024 fishing seasons, the primary status indicators for the two herring spawning stocks in Division 4S were updated in 2022. The next full assessment is scheduled for March 2025. This Science Response Report results from the regional peer review of February 27, 2023 on the Update of stock status indicators for Quebec North Shore (Division 4S) herring in 2022.