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To meet regulatory requirements, the plan must at a minimum contain:  Pacific herring – Haida GwaiiAtlantic herring – 4T (spring spawning component)Winter Flounder - 4TWhite Hake - 4TAtlantic Cod - 4TVnAmerican Plaice - 4TAtlantic mackerelAtlantic cod – 3Ps
Chinook Salmon - Okanagan
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DRAFT PLANDRAFT PLANDRAFT PLANDRAFT PLANDRAFT PLANDRAFT PLANDRAFT PLANADVISORY REPORTDRAFT PLAN
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The stock status and trends.Yes - Section 5.2.1.4 describes stock status and trends at the aggregate level for the Major and Minor Stock Assessment Regions (SAR), as well as at the sub-stock level. The DFO assessment of the aggregate Major SAR has been at a low biomass state since 2000, and until recently, below the LRP (30% unfished biomass).Yes - Section 2 states the stock has been in the critical zone since 2002 and was 77% of LRP in 2021.Yes - Section 2.0 states that stock has been in the critical zone since 2006 and is 24% of the LRP in 2021. Noting that a new population model for winter flounder is currently in development and should provide revised reference points.Yes - Section 2.0 states that stock has been in the critical zone since 1995 and is 58% of the LRP (7,396 t of 12,600 t) in 2019. Yes - Section 2.0 states that stock has been in the critical zone since 2005 and is 17% of the LRP in 2018. Yes - Section 2.0 states that stock has been in the critical zone since 1993 and is 40% of the LRP in 2015, with no improvement over 2016-2021 and a record low level in 2018. Yes - Section 2 states that the stock has been in, or near, the Critical Zone since 2011 and is 42% of the LRP as of 2022. Yes - states that the stock has been in the critical zone since 2000 and is 48% of the LRP.Draft plan not reviewed.
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The probable causes for the stock’s decline.Yes - Section 3 covers management issues and causes of decline including past commercial fisheries catches such as during the reduction fishery period and changing oceanographic and climatic conditions that have resulted in changes in prey quality, prey availability, and predation pressure.Yes - Section 3 states the probable causes for the stock’s decline including overfishing from 1994-2004, poor recruitment driven by environmental effects, changes in the natural environment (warm water trend), and natural mortality associated with the abundance of Grey seal, Atlantic Bluefin tuna and Northern gannets. Yes - Section 3 states the probable causes for the stock’s decline include overfishing in the 1970-80s, current high natural mortality, declines in average size and estimated size at 50% sexual maturity.Yes - Section 3 states the probable causes for the stock’s decline include overfishing in the 1970-90s, current high natural mortality for hake of two years and older, and a predation-driven Allee effect or predator-pit situation driving loss of localized spawning components.Yes - Section 3 states the probable causes for the stock’s decline include overfishing in the 1990s, current high natural mortality of cod 5 years and older, low recruitment, and a predation-driven Allee effectYes - Section 3 states the probable causes for the stock’s decline include overfishing in the 1990s, current high natural mortality primarily from grey seals. Recent surveys suggest a decline in the size and age at maturity.Yes - Section 3 states the probable causes for the stock's decline were the removal of dominant year classes in the 1990s and the increase in fishing pressure from the mid-90's onward but does not explicitly state that overfishing was the primary cause of decline. We recommend inserting in Section 3 “And therefore overfishing is the dominant cause of stock decline”. Although fishing pressure was considered sustainable in the 1990s, from 2005 onwards science advice recommended lowering the TAC which remained largeley stable until 2021 when the TAC was reduced by a large amount and the fishery was eventually closed in 2022 and 2023. Section 3 also states that natural mortality and poor recruiment were unlikely to have caused the stock's decline.NA – Not available in current documentDraft plan not reviewed.
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Measurable objectives aimed at rebuilding the stock, including a target for rebuilding the stock.Yes - Section 4.2 identifies six main objectives including ecological, cultural, social and economic, governance, and management objectives. Section 7.1.2 identifies the long-term target for all sub-stocks is the average biomass from 1982-1992.Yes - Section 4.1 states the objective is to get the stock above the LRP, with a target of 46,340 tonnes with a high likelihood (≥75%) for 2 consectutive years. Yes - Section 4.1 states the rebuilding target is to grow the stock above the LRP (147,800 t) with a high likelihood (≥75%). The long-term management objective under the IFMP will be to continue the stock’s growth toward the healthy zone and then maintain the stock’s SSB in that zone. Table 5 shows additional rebuilding objectives aimed at enabling DFO to monitor all sources of mortality, the impacts of implemented management measures, whether there is improvement in the stock status and the overall state of the ecosystem.Yes - Section 4.1 states the rebuilding target is to grow the stock above the LRP (12,800 t) with a high likelihood (≥75%). The long-term management objective under the IFMP will be to continue the stock’s growth toward the healthy zone and then maintain the stock’s SSB in that zone. Table 4 shows additional rebuilding objectives aimed at enabling DFO to monitor all sources of mortality, the impacts of implemented management measures, whether there is improvement in the stock status and the overall state of the ecosystem.Yes - Section 4.1 states the rebuilding target will be to grow the stock above the LRP (80,000 t) with a high likelihood (≥75%), maintained for 4 consecutive years. The long-term management objective under the IFMP will be to continue the stock’s growth toward the healthy zone and then maintain the stock’s SSB in that zone. Table 4 shows additional rebuilding objectives aimed at enabling DFO to monitor all sources of mortality, the impacts of implemented management measures, whether there is improvement in the stock status and the overall state of the ecosystem.Yes - Section 4.1 states the rebuilding target is to grow the stock above the LRP (139,135 t) with a high likelihood (≥75%). The long-term management objective under the IFMP will be to continue the stock’s growth toward the healthy zone and then maintain the stock’s SSB in that zone. Table 4 shows additional rebuilding objectives aimed at enabling DFO to monitor all sources of mortality, the impacts of implemented management measures, whether there is improvement in the stock status and the overall state of the ecosystem.Yes - Section 4.1 states the rebuilding target will be to grow the stock above the LRP (42,450 t) with a high likelihood (≥75%). Table 3 in Section 4.2 shows the additional secondary objectives which aim to promote growth, improve monitoring, reduce post-discard mortality, increase bilateral cooperation with the U.S. and provide fishing opportunities. Yes - Table 1 includes milestones and short-term objectives. The short-term objective is to increase the SSB above the LRP within 25 years (2.5 generation time) with a 75% probability.Draft plan not reviewed.
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The timelines for achieving the objectives. If the Minister determines that it is not feasible to establish a timeline for achieving the target for rebuilding the major fish stock, the plan shall include, instead of such a timeline, the reasons why it is not feasible to do so.Yes, invokes section 70(6) of the FGR in lieu of s. 70(1d) - Section 7.2 Models estimate the time frame for rebuilding is expected to be greater than 15 years (under current ecosystem conditions). Simulation evaluation results indicated little difference in stock growth toward rebuilding targets and the expected timeline for rebuilding under the no fishing procedure when compared to the rebuilding procedures that allowed fishing. This suggests that rebuilding performance of Haida Gwaii Herring populations is dominated by the population and ecosystem dynamics represented in the operating model scenarios, not the impacts of the fisheries allocations simulated in the analysis.Yes, invokes section 70(6) of the FGR in lieu of s. 70(1d) – Section 4.1 states "Long term population projections models (2020 to 2069) under different scenarios of recruitment and environment relationship suggest that the spring spawner stock is unlikely to rebuild under prevailing conditions. As a result, a rebuilding timeline to the rebuilding target cannot be calculated at this time.” Management objective 3 aims to estimate generation time and expected to be published before the next review of the plan (2026).Yes, invokes section 70(6) of the FGR in lieu of s. 70(1d) - No timelines calculated but reasons are stated, "At the current high level of natural mortality, declines in average size and estimated size at 50% sexual maturity, there are no signs of improvements for the sGSL winter flounder stock. In addition, scientific knowledge on the generation time for this species and the sGSL stock is incomplete. These conditions are such that a rebuilding timeline to the rebuilding target cannot be calculated at this time". Yes, invokes section 70(6) of the FGR in lieu of s. 70(1d) - No timelines calculated but reasons are stated, "At the current high level of natural mortality of large (mature) individuals, and the shift in distribution out of the inshore waters to deeper waters to avoid predation, rebuilding of this stock to sustainable harvestable levels is highly improbable in the short and long terms (Rolland et al. 2022)...These prevailing conditions are such that a rebuilding timeline to the rebuilding target cannot be calculated, as the stock is projected to continue to decline even in the absence of fishing mortality, due to the high level of natural mortality". Assuming that productivity of this population remains at the levels estimated for recent years; projections (2019-2044) indicate a gradual decline even with no fishing mortality. An approximately 40% decline in SSB is projected over 25 years.Yes, invokes section 70(6) of the FGR in lieu of s. 70(1d) - No timelines calculated but reasons are stated, "even with no fishing, rebuilding of the NAFO 4T-Vn Atlantic cod population appears to be unlikely at current level of natural mortality. These prevailing conditions are such that a rebuilding timeline to the rebuilding target cannot be calculated". " At the current level of grey seal abundance, further declines are expected, and the SSB is projected to decline further. Under the current ecosystem productivity, the population is expected to be commercially extinct (i.e., SSB < 1,000 t) by mid-century, even with no catch"Yes, invokes section 70(6) of the FGR in lieu of s. 70(1d) - No timelines calculated but reasons are stated, "Unfortunately, at current high level of natural mortality, and considering the declining long-term projections for this stock (DFO 2011a), a rebuilding timeline to the rebuilding target cannot be calculated at this time"Yes - Section 4.1 states the rebuilding timelines under multiple scenarios including F=0 (6-7 years) and F=0 except for U.S. removals (up to 3,639 a year) (7-9 years). The Tmin for the stock is estimated to be 9 years to rebuild aove the LRP with a 75 pre cent likelihood in the absence of Canadian fishing under prevailing enviornmental conditions. However, the plan states that DFO will aim to rebuild the stock to the rebuilding target in 18 years representing 2*Tmin. Yes - Under prevailing conditions, the minimum time to rebuild to the proposed target in the absence of fishing (Tmin) is expected to reach the proposed rebuilding target (above the LRP with a 75% probability) in 2036 (in 14 years)Draft plan not reviewed.
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The management measures aimed at achieving the objectives, including the target.Yes - Section 7.1 presents SAR and sub-stock scale management recommendations. Since there is a low probability of maintaining the stock above the LRP over 15 years (three herring generations) under current of historical natural mortality trends, management measures aim to foster signs of rebuilding and provide opportunities to meet cultural, social and economic objectives.Yes - Section 5, Table 7 shows management measures for each objective. Since the stock is unlikely to rebuild under prevailing conditions, the objectives are aimed at preserving the stock such that should the prevailing conditions limiting the stock’s recovery change, the stock retains the potential to rebuild.Yes - Section 5, Table 6 shows management measures for each objective. Since the stock is unlikely to rebuild under prevailing conditions, the objectives are aimed at preserving the stock such that should the prevailing conditions limiting the stock’s recovery change, the stock retains the potential to rebuild.Yes - Section 5, Table 5 shows management measures for each objective. Since the stock is unlikely to rebuild under prevailing conditions, the objectives are aimed at preserving the stock such that should the prevailing conditions limiting the stock’s recovery change, the stock retains the potential to rebuild.Yes - Section 5, Table 5 shows management measures for each objective. Since the stock is unlikely to rebuild under prevailing conditions, the objectives are aimed at preserving the stock such that should the prevailing conditions limiting the stock’s recovery change, the stock retains the potential to rebuild.Yes - Section 5, Table 5 shows management measures for each objective. Since the stock is unlikely to rebuild under prevailing conditions, the objectives are aimed at preserving the stock such that should the prevailing conditions limiting the stock’s recovery change, the stock retains the potential to rebuild.Yes - Section 5, Table 4 shows the managemant measures aimed at achieving objectives and it is stated that multiple management measures are required to rebuild the stock and that these measures are informed by the SFF policies. Caution should be attributed to the management measure supporting the primary objective as it does not explicitly state that no removals or continued moratoria can be used to promote a positive stock growth trajectory. Further management measure #5 "Provide fishing opportunities while achieving stock growth objectives" must be explicit in stating that fishing opportunities can only be provided if they promote a positive stock growth over a 2-year period with a minimum 75 per cent probability. Yes – Candidate Management Procedures (MPs) are evaluated in closed-loop simulation framework to inform the Rebuilding Plan.Draft plan not reviewed.
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A method to track progress towards achieving the objectives.Yes - Table 23-27 shows ecological, cultural, socio-economic, governance, management monitoring priorities and measures.Yes - Section 7, Table 8 shows performance metrics and frequency of measurement associated with each objective.Yes - Section 7, Table 7 shows performance metrics and frequency of measurement associated with each objective.Yes - Section 7, Table 6 shows performance metrics and frequency of measurement associated with each objective.Yes - Section 7, Table 6 shows performance metrics and frequency of measurement associated with each objective.Yes - Section 7, Table 6 shows performance metrics and frequency of measurement associated with each objective.Yes - Section 7, Table 5 shows performance metrics and frequency of measurement associated with each objective.Yes - Performance Metrics are available to track whether future stock levels and fishery yields calculated under various proposed MPs achieve the objectives as defined by the working group.Draft plan not reviewed.
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A schedule for a periodic review of the plan to assess progress towards the objectives, and to determine whether an adjustment to the plan is needed.Yes - Section 7.3 states that population status and progress towards short and long-term objectives will be assessed annually and review of the rebuilding plan is expected to take place every five years.Yes - Section 8 states review period of four years (every 2 stock assessment cycles).Yes - Section 8 states the review of the rebuilding plan is scheduled to take place every 5 years, corresponding to assessment cycle. Noting that an earlier review may be triggered with the development of a new stock assessment model and revised reference points.Yes - Section 8 states the review of the rebuilding plan is scheduled to take place every 5 years, corresponding to assessment cycle.Yes - Section 8 states the review of the rebuilding plan is scheduled to take place every 4 years, corresponding to assessment cycle.Yes - Section 8 states the review of the rebuilding plan is scheduled to take place every 5 years, corresponding to assessment cycle.Yes - Section 8 states the review of the rebuilding plan will be reviewed every 2 years corresponding to each science stock assessment. NA – Not available in current documentDraft plan not reviewed.
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_ftn1NA – Not available in current documentNA – Not available in current documentNA – Not available in current documentNA – Not available in current documentNA – Not available in current documentNA – Not available in current documentNA – Not available in current documentNA – Not available in current documentDraft plan not reviewed.
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Publish plan and the results of any periodic review of the plan on the Internet site of the Department.NA – Not available in current documentNA – Not available in current documentNA – Not available in current documentNA – Not available in current documentNA – Not available in current documentNA – Not available in current documentNA – Not available in current documentNA – Not available in current documentDraft plan not reviewed.
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