Monday, November 16, 2009

Case # 5 SW Nova Scotia / Bay of Fundy Herring fishery

MSC Pre-assessment review in 2008/09 – Failed

Latest scientific assessment – DFO Canada 2009

http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/CSAS/Csas/Publications/SAR-AS/2009/2009_035_E.pdf

Landings in 2007/08 were 54,560t against a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of 55,000t.

Acoustic biomass estimates decreased and are near the lowest in the time series for each of the major survey areas.

Spawning stock biomass in 2008 was the lowest in the time series.

Scientific advice is for implementation of a harvest strategy that exercises continued caution to facilitate further rebuilding is strongly recommended.

Information of MSC pre-assessment failures are hard to come by.

Surely the public has a right to know about those fisheries that fail MSC pre-assessment?