FishSource

Canada witch flounder (2J3KL, 3NO, 3Ps) - trawl (FIP)

Last Updated: 2023-06-16

Progress Rating: C

Evaluation Start Date: 2017-09-29

Type: Comprehensive

Status: Active

FIP Lead: Groundfish Enterprise Allocation Council (GEAC), Atlantic Groundfish Council (AGC)

Stock Profile Link
Witch flounder - Southern Grand Banks
Witch flounder - Southern Labrador/Eastern Newfoundland
Witch flounder - St. Pierre and Miquelon

Comments:

The FIP's last stage 4 result was reported 23 months ago from the time of reporting keeping it between 12-24 months old with recent stage 3 progress reported within the past 6 months. The FIP remains C rated.

1. FIP Development	May 17	Fishery assessment or scoping document made public 1 May 2017 — MSC pre-assessment publicly available
2. FIP Launch	Jul 17	Confirmation of project participants 7 July 2017 — Participants confirmed
2. FIP Launch	Apr 23	Workplan made public 28 April 2023 — 2023 Updated Workplan 29 September 2017 — Workplan available
3. FIP Implementation	Apr 24	FIP activities undertaken 4 April 2024 — The NAFO Precautionary Approach Working Group met to develop a candidate Precautionary Approach Framework, including simulation testing on the 3NO witch flounder stock. 1 February 2024 — The FIP conducted a comparative fishing trial analysis to estimate conversion factors for calibrating multispecies survey catches across various vessels and regions. 17 July 2023 — Canada representatives attended the 2023 NAFO meeting and proposed that the Working Group on Risk-Based Management Strategies (WG-RBMS), aside from ongoing MSE processes, prioritize developing management strategies for 3NO witch flounder and 3LNO yellowtail flounder in the next 3 to 5 years. 15 June 2023 — The NAFO Scientific Council has published an Interim Monitoring Report highlighting findings from the most recent (2022) Bayesian stock production model assessment, indicating a fluctuating trend in stock size with a 2022 estimate at 49% of Bmsy (60,510 t). The report identified a 9% risk of falling below Blim and a <1% risk of F exceeding Flim (Fmsy = 0.062). 1 March 2023 — A stock assessment has been published for the 2J3KL Witch Flounder; the assessment continues to show signs of rebuilding, with indices of biomass, abundance, and distribution increasing since the early-2000s. 1 June 2022 — An interim report of the stock assessment was published in the NAFO scientific council report. 2 February 2022 — The Atlantic Grounfish Council sent a letter to DFO to request further collaboration with HCR development 1 December 2021 — The draft management plan for the groundfish fishery was revised to include updated management measures in December 2021. 11 June 2021 — An interim report on the state of the stock for the 3NO witch flounder was presented - the report highlighted no change to stock status 12 June 2020 — Scientific council meeting report produced 1 April 2020 — Fishery footprint and habitat analyses were completed and have been summarized. 1 April 2019 — Limit reference points for this fishery was adopted and reported on in April 2019 1 March 2019 — Stock Assesment for haddock (3PS) published 1 April 2018 — 3LNO haddock assessment Science Advisory Report published in 2018 1 April 2018 — Draft management objectives published 18 July 2017 — An inaugural FIP working group meeting was held in July 2017 and the FIP WG approved an action plan to address deficient areas of fishery performance
4. Improvements in Fishing Practices and Fishery Management	Jun 22	Verifiable improvement in policy/management and fishing practices 17 June 2022 — The 2J3KL Witch Flounder rebuilding plan has been approved by the ministry; the plan defines rebuilding objectives and HCR 1 March 2019 — Limit reference points finally accepted and presented in stock assessment for this fishery and reported on in April 2019
5. Improvements on the Water	—	Verifiable improvement on the water
6. MSC certification (optional)	—	MSC certificate made public