Îles-de-la-Madeleine lobster Surveillance Report - Marine ...
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Marine Stewardship Council
fisheries assessment
Îles-de-la-Madeleine lobster
Surveillance Report
Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) Global Trust Certification
Assessment team Lead Assessor, Géraldine Criquet
Assessor, Jean-Claude Brêthes
Fishery client Association des Pêcheurs Propriétaires des Îles-de-la-Madeleine (APPIM)
Office des Pêcheurs de Homard des Îles-de-la-Madeleine (OPHIM)
Assessment Type Second Surveillance Audit
Date 26 April 2021
Form 13e Issue 4 January 2021 Page 1 of 53
1 Contents
1 Contents ................................................................................................................................................................ 2
1.1 List of Figures .......................................................................................................................................................... 3
1.2 List of Tables ........................................................................................................................................................... 3
2 Glossary................................................................................................................................................................. 4
3 Executive summary ............................................................................................................................................... 5
3.1 Summary of audit process ...................................................................................................................................... 5
3.2 Summary of history of assessments ....................................................................................................................... 6
3.3 Summary of audit findings ...................................................................................................................................... 6
3.4 Updated certification status ................................................................................................................................... 8
4 Report details ........................................................................................................................................................ 9
4.1 Surveillance information......................................................................................................................................... 9
4.2 Background ........................................................................................................................................................... 12
Management measures for the 2020 fishing season ...................................................................................... 12
Principle 1 updates.......................................................................................................................................... 13
4.2.2.1 Annual surveys ..................................................................................................................................... 13
4.2.2.2 Lobster stock status ............................................................................................................................. 14
Principle 2 updates.......................................................................................................................................... 15
4.2.3.1 Primary and secondary species ............................................................................................................ 15
4.2.3.2 Endangered, threatened and protected (ETP) species......................................................................... 16
Principle 3 updates.......................................................................................................................................... 22
4.2.4.1 Relevant changes to Legislation and Management Regime ................................................................ 22
4.2.4.2 Changes in Science and Resource personnel ....................................................................................... 23
4.2.4.3 Consultation processes ........................................................................................................................ 23
4.2.4.4 Compliance and enforcement .............................................................................................................. 23
4.3 Changes to Traceability......................................................................................................................................... 25
4.4 Version details ...................................................................................................................................................... 27
5 Results ................................................................................................................................................................. 28
5.1 Surveillance results overview ............................................................................................................................... 28
Summary of conditions ................................................................................................................................... 28
Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and catch data ................................................................................................... 29
Recommendations .......................................................................................................................................... 29
5.2 Re-scoring Performance Indicators ...................................................................................................................... 31
PI 2.3.1 – ETP species outcome ............................................................................................................................... 31
5.3 Conditions 37
New conditions ............................................................................................................................................... 37
5.4 Client Action Plan .................................................................................................................................................. 38
6 References........................................................................................................................................................... 42
7 Appendices .......................................................................................................................................................... 43
7.1 Evaluation processes and techniques ................................................................................................................... 43
Site visits ......................................................................................................................................................... 43
Stakeholder participation................................................................................................................................ 43
7.2 Stakeholder input ................................................................................................................................................. 45
7.3 Survey regarding the proposal to implement a maximum legal size .................................................................... 46
7.4 Revised surveillance program ............................................................................................................................... 50
7.5 Harmonised fishery assessments.......................................................................................................................... 51
7.6 Template information and copyright .................................................................................................................... 53
Form 13e Issue 4 January 2021 Page 2 of 53
1.1 List of Figures Figure 1. Lobster landings in Îles-de-la-Madeleine from 1984 to 2020. 2019 and 2020 data are preliminary. The red line represents the LRP and the green line the USR. Drawn from DFO data. ............................................................................ 14 Figure 2. Ratio between actual landings and the 1985-2009 landings average (proxy for BMSY). Drawn from DFO data. . 14 Figure 3. North Atlantic right whale management measures for 2020. The area subject to the temporary closure is in grey. Source: DFO 2020e. ............................................................................................................................................................ 19 Figure 4. Colour scheme for lobster in LFA 22. Source: DFO 2020f. ................................................................................... 20 Figure 5. Annual North Atlantic right whale mortalities for the 2012-2021 period, in U.S. (blue) and Canada (red). Source: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-life-distress/2017-2021-north-atlantic-right-whale-unusual-mortality- event ................................................................................................................................................................................... 21 Figure 6. Map of NARW mortalities in Canada for the 2017-2020 period. Source: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-life-distress/2017-2021-north-atlantic-right-whale-unusual-mortality- event ................................................................................................................................................................................... 22 1.2 List of Tables Table 1.Summary of Conditions ............................................................................................................................................ 7 Table 2. Recommendations .................................................................................................................................................. 8 Table 3.Surveillance announcement..................................................................................................................................... 9 Table 4. Management measures for the 2020 fishing season. Source: DFO 2020a and DFO 2020b.................................. 12 Table 5. Sampling and surveys carried out in the 2018-2020 period. ................................................................................ 13 Table 6. Summary of main indicators of the lobster stock status and the trend compared to average values. Source: drawn from DFO 2019.................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Table 7. Stock status of main primary species .................................................................................................................... 15 Table 8. Mandatory colour scheme (Region and species). Source. DFO 2020f. ................................................................. 20 Table 9. Enforcement activities and infractions for 2019 and 2020. Source: DFO Conservation & Protection ................. 24 Table 10. Traceability Factors within the Fishery ............................................................................................................... 25 Table 11. MSC Scheme Documents and Report Templates used during this assessment. ................................................ 27 Table 12. Summary of conditions. ...................................................................................................................................... 28 Table 13. Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and catch data (t). .................................................................................................. 29 Table 14. Landings (t) by harbour from 2018 to 2020. ....................................................................................................... 29 Table 15. Recommendations .............................................................................................................................................. 29 Table 16. Principle 2 revised scoring................................................................................................................................... 36 Table 17. Condition 1 .......................................................................................................................................................... 37 Table 18. PI 2.3.1 ................................................................................................................................................................ 38 Table 19. Remote audit meeting schedule ......................................................................................................................... 43 Table 20. Overlapping fisheries .......................................................................................................................................... 51 Table 21. Overlapping fisheries – Harmonisation activities................................................................................................ 51 Table 22. Overlapping fisheries – Scoring differences. ....................................................................................................... 52 Table 23. Overlapping fisheries – Rationale for scoring differences. ................................................................................. 52 Form 13e Issue 4 January 2021 Page 3 of 53
2 Glossary APPIM Association des Pêcheurs Propriétaires des Îles-de-la-Madeleine CAB Conformity Assessment Body CHP Conservation Harvesting Plan CL Carapace length C&P DFO Conservation and Protection DFO Fisheries and Oceans Canada Elog Electronic logbook ETP Endangered Threatened and Protected species FCP MSC Fisheries Certification Process GSL Gulf of St Lawrence HCR Harvest Control Rules IFMP Integrated Fisheries Management Plan LFA Lobster Fishing Area LRP Limit Reference Point MLS Minimum Legal Size MMPA US Marine Mammal Protection Act MSC Marine Stewardship Council MSY Maximum Sustainable Yield NARW North Atlantic right whale OPHIM Office des Pêcheurs de Homard des Îles-de-la-Madeleine P1 MSC Principle 1 P2 MSC Principle 2 P3 MSC Principle 3 PBR Potential Biological Removal PI Performance Indicator RPPCI Rassemblement des Pêcheurs et Pêcheuses des Côtes des Îles SARA Species At Risk Act SG Scoring Guidepost UoA Unit of Assessment UoC Unit of Certification URP Upper Reference Point Form 13e Issue 4 January 2021 Page 4 of 53
3 Executive summary Explanatory note: Note explicative On 01 January 2021, SAI Global sold Global Trust Certification Limited operating as SAI Global to NSF International such that, from 01 January 2020, Global Trust will no longer operate as SAI Global for the purpose of delivering MSC assessments. The personnel within Global Trust, including those involved in this assessment, remain unchanged. Le 1 janvier 2021, SAI Global a vendu Global Trust Certification Limited opérant en tant que SAI Global à NSF International. Par conséquent, Global trust Certification n’opérant plus en tant que SAI Global. Le personnel de Global Trust, incluant ceux impliqués dans cette évaluation, reste inchangé. This report contains the findings of the 2nd MSC surveillance audit after 1st reassessment in relation to the Association des Pêcheurs Propriétaires des Îles-de-la-Madeleine (APPIM) and the Office des Pêcheurs de Homard des Îles-de-la-Madeleine (OPHIM)’s certificate of the Îles-de-la-Madeleine lobster. Ce rapport contient les résultats et conclusion de 2nd audit de surveillance après la 1ère ré-évaluation concernant le certificat de l’Association des Pêcheurs Propriétaires des Îles-de-la-Madeleine (APPIM) et de l’Office des Pêcheurs de Homard des Îles-de-la-Madeleine (OPHIM) pour le homard des Îles-de-la-Madeleine. The objectives of the surveillance audit are: 1. To review any changes in the management of the fishery, including regulations, key management or scientific staff or stock evaluation 2. To review any developments or changes within the fishery which impact traceability and the ability to segregate MSC from non-MSC products. 3. To review any other significant changes in the fishery. Les objectifs de l’audit de surveillance sont: 1. Réviser tout changement concernant la gestion de la pêcherie, incluant les réglementations, le personnel clé de la Science ou de la Gestion ou l’évaluation du stock. 2. Considérer tout développement et changement dans les pratiques de la pêcherie pouvant avoir un impact sur la traçabilité et la capacité à séparer les produits MSC des produits non-MSC. 3. Considérer tout autre changement significatif dans la pêcherie. Global Trust Certification would like to thank all management and scientific agencies, industry bodies and stakeholders for their collaboration and for providing the information and data necessary to carry out this assessment. Global Trust Certification souhaite remercier le MPO, le groupe client et les autres parties prenantes pour leur collaboration et pour avoir fourni les informations et données nécessaires pour la réalisation de cette évaluation. 3.1 Summary of audit process The surveillance audit was announced on 8th December 2020. The announcement includes information on stakeholders’ opportunities to provide input into the fishery audit. The audit was held off-site from on the 25th and 26th January 2021, stakeholders consulted during the off-site visit and topics discussed are listed in section 6.1.2. The audit team consists of Dr. Géraldine Criquet and Pr. Jean-Claude Brêthes who have both been involved in previous audits or the initial assessment for the Îles-de-la-Madeleine lobster. A short biography is provided below, and an explanation on how they meet the Qualification and Competency Criteria outlined in MSC FCP v.2.2 Annex PC is provided in sections 6 and 7 of Table 1. Form 13e Issue 4 January 2021 Page 5 of 53
Surveillance Audit Team Leader: Dr. Géraldine Criquet, primarily responsible for Principle 2 and Traceability. Géraldine is an MSC approved Fisheries Team Leader - experienced fishery scientist in both Finfish and Shellfish fisheries, and ecosystems considerations, working for Global Trust Certification as a full-time employee since 8 years. Géraldine holds a PhD in Marine Ecology (École Pratique des Hautes Études, France) which focused on coral reef fisheries management, Marine Protected Areas, fish biology and ecology and fishing impacts on ecosystem. She worked 2 years for the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) at Reunion Island for studying fish species growth and connectivity between fish populations in the Indian Ocean using otolith analysis. She served as Consultant for FAO on a Mediterranean Fisheries Program (COPEMED) and developed and implemented a catch monitoring program in the Marine Natural Reserve of Cerbère-Banyuls (France). Géraldine is an experienced full time MSC Lead Assessor with Global Trust Certification, successfully leading MSC certifications and assessment teams and acting as Principle 2 expert for multiple MSC Pre, Full and Surveillance audits including for Canada Atlantic fisheries. Géraldine led the initial assessment and all previous surveillance audits for the Îles-de-la-Madeleine lobster. Surveillance Audit Team Member: Pr. Jean-Claude Brêthes, Primary Responsibility for P1. Jean-Claude is a fisheries biology professional retired from the Institut des sciences de la mer at the Université du Québec a Rimouski. Previously he has held positions at Board, Chair and Director level for University undergraduate and post graduate fishery science/marine/oceanography courses, scientific advisory councils and committees for various government organizations such as the Canadian Atlantic Fisheries Advisory Council. His key experiences have been focused upon the dynamics and ecology and management of exploited species. In particular, Jean- Claude has conducted various projects on the ecology of snow crab, lobster and cod in locations in Atlantic Canada. He has published and presented several scientific papers in lobster fisheries in key journals and science fora and has also taken part in several MSC and related studies including lobster fisheries in this and other regions. 3.2 Summary of history of assessments The Îles-de-la-Madeleine lobster trap fishery was initially certified in July 2013 with three conditions on PI 1.2.2 Harvest Control Rules, PI 2.2.3 Bycatch information and PI 3.2.4 Research Plan (MSC Fisheries Standard v.1.3). The condition on PI 3.2.4 was closed at the 1st surveillance audit, and conditions on PIs 1.2.2 and 2.2.3 were closed at the 2nd surveillance audit. A change occurred in the structure of the client group in 2016. A portion of the 325 licenced lobster harvesters originally members of APPIM left the client group and created a new fishermen association, the Rassemblement des Pêcheurs et Pêcheuses des Côtes des Îles (RPPCI). All Îles-de-la-Madeleine lobster fishermen, whatever association they belong to, are members of the Office des Pêcheurs de Homard des Îles-de-la-Madeleine (OPHIM). APPIM and the OPHIM signed a sharing agreement allowing all the lobster fishermen to access the APPIM certificate. According to that agreement, the condition to access the certificate consists of a financial contribution agreed by both parties. The fishery was eligible to a reduced reassessment which was completed in October 2018. A condition on PI 2.3.1 was raised in relation to the combined effects of the MSC UoAs on the North Atlantic right whale (NARW). The condition was closed at the 1st surveillance audit after reassessment. However, the condition is reopened during this surveillance audit as a result of the harmonisation process with overlapping fixed gears fisheries operating in the Canada Atlantic. 3.3 Summary of audit findings The audit team determines that there have been no material changes in the fishery management, data collection, Îles-de-la-Madeleine lobster stock assessment and status, and impacts on P2 components that would trigger a rescoring of any PI with the exception of PI 2.3.1. The fishery continues to perform in conformity with the MSC Fisheries Standard. Form 13e Issue 4 January 2021 Page 6 of 53
L’équipe d’évaluation détermine qu’il n’y a pas de changements significatifs dans la gestion de la pêcherie, la
collecte des données, l’évaluation et l’état du stock du homard des Îles-de-la-Madeleine, et l’impact sur les
composantes du Principe 2 entrainant une re-notation des IPS à l’exception de l’IP 2.3.1. La performance de
la pêcherie continue à être en conformité avec le Standard Pêcheries du MSC.
There are changes which impact traceability and the ability to segregate MSC from non-MSC products. The
audit team has been informed that lobster harvesters from Anticosti Island fishing for lobster in LFA 17B had
landed their catch in Îles-de-la-Madeleine in 2019 and 2020. The tracking and tracing system allows to identify
the Anticosti Island lobster harvesters, the ports where their landed their product, the amount of lobster
landed, and the buyers who bought their product.
Il y a des changements impactant la traçabilité et la possibilité de séparer les produits MSC des produits non-
MSC. L’équipe d’évaluation a été informée que des homardiers de l’Île Anticosti pêchant dans la ZPH 17B ont
débarqué le produit de leur pêche aux Îles-de-la-Madeleine en 2019 et 2020. The système de suivi et traçage
permet d’identifier les homardiers de l’Île Anticosti, les ports où ils ont débarqué le produit de leur pêche, la
quantité de homard débarquée et les acheteurs ayant acheté leur produit.
A condition was raised on PI 2.31 as a result of a harmonisation process with overlapping fixed gears fisheries
operating in the Canada Atlantic (Table 1).
Une condition a été assignée à l’IP 2.3.1, ceci résulte du processus d’harmonisation avec les pêcheries d’engins
fixes opérant chevauchantes dans l’Atlantique canadien (Tableau 1).
Table 1.Summary of Conditions
Condition Performance Related to previous
Condition
number Indicator condition?
The client shall provide evidence that the
combined effects of the MSC UoAs on the North
Atlantic right whale are known and are highly
likely to be within the national limit.
1 2.3.1 Yes
Le client devra démontrer que les effets combinés
des UoAs MSC sur la population de baleine noire
sont connus et se situent de manière hautement
probable dans la limite nationale
PI original score PI score at PI score at Principle 2 Principle 2 Principle 2
surveillance 1 surveillance 2 original score revised score at revised score at
surveillance 1 surveillance 2
75 95 75 88.1 89.5 88.1
In addition, the audit team made two recommendations (Table 2).
A recommendation is non-binding and therefore does not require the client to provide a client action plan.
However, the client is encouraged to act upon within the spirit of the MSC certification for improvement and
continuing efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of the fishery.
De plus l’équipe d’évaluation a fait deux recommandations (Tableau 2).
Une recommandation est non contraignante et par conséquent n’exige pas que le client fournisse un plan
d’action. Cependant, le client est encouragé à y répondre dans l’esprit de la certification MSC d’amélioration
et d’effort continue pour assurer la durabilité à long-terme de la pêcherie.
Form 13e Issue 4 January 2021 Page 7 of 53Table 2. Recommendations
Recommendation Performance
Recommendation
number Indicator (PI)
Although C&P confirms that lobster harvesters comply with the requirement to
complete elogs, improvement is needed in the quality of data reported. DFO
who warned the team about the reliability of discarded rock crab data which
may be overestimated or underestimated. DFO acknowledged that effort should
be put in improving the quality of information recorded in the elog and in a
cross-checking of this information.
Bien que C&P confirme que les homardiers sont en conformité avec l’exigence
de compléter les journaux de bord, une amélioration est nécessaire concernant
la qualité des données entrées. Le MPO a mis en garde l’équipe concernant la
fiabilité des données sur les quantités de crabe commun remises à l’eau,
2.2.3
1 pouvant être sous-estimées ou surestimées. Le MPO reconnaît qu’un effort
3.2.3
devrait être fait pour l’amélioration des informations enregistrées dans les
journaux de bord, et de la vérification croisée de ces informations.
The audit team recommends the improvement of the quality of discards data
recorded in elogs and the implementation of a cross-checking mechanism to
verify the quality of data recorded in elogs.
L’équipe recommande l’amélioration de la qualité des données sur les rejets
enregistrées dans les journaux de bord et la mise en œuvre d’un mécanisme de
vérification croisée afin de vérifier la qualité des données enregistrées dans les
journaux de bord.
The team recommends the continuation of management measures to further
reduce the risk of interaction with the North Atlantic right whale.
2 2.3.2
L’équipe recommande que la continuité des mesures visant à réduire le risque
d’interaction avec la baleine noire.
3.4 Updated certification status
Global Trust Certification determines that:
Global Trust Certification determine que:
The Îles-de-la-Madeleine lobster fishery continues to operate a well-managed and sustainable fishery
and therefore, continued certification to the MSC Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Fishing is
awarded.
La pêcherie du homard des Îles-de-la-Madeleine continue d’opérer une pêcherie bien gérée et durable,
et la certification selon les Principes et Critères de Pêche Durable du MSC continue à être attribuée.
Form 13e Issue 4 January 2021 Page 8 of 534 Report details
4.1 Surveillance information
Table 3.Surveillance announcement.
1 Fishery name
Îles-de-la-Madeleine lobster
2 Unit of Assessment (UoA)
Target species American lobster, Hommarus americanus
Geographical Area FAO Fishing Area 21 Northwest Atlantic, Canada EEZ, Lobster
Fishing Area (LFA) 22 Îles-de-la-Madeleine
Stock Lobster stock in LFA 22
Fishing Gear Lobster trap
Management system Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Quebec Region, Îles-de-la-
Madeleine offices
Client group and other eligible Association des Pêcheurs Propriétaires des Îles-de-la-Madeleine
fishers (APPIM) & Office des Pêcheurs de Homard des Îles-de-la-Madeleine
(OPHIM)
There are no other eligible fishers.
3 Date certified Date of expiry
16/07/2013 11/04/2024
4 Surveillance level and type
Surveillance level 4, off-site surveillance audit.
The surveillance programme for this fishery has not changed from that indicated in the previous
surveillance report.
5 Surveillance number
1st Surveillance
2nd Surveillance X
rd
3 Surveillance
4th Surveillance
Other (expedited etc)
6 Proposed team leader
Dr. Géraldine Criquet, primarily responsible for Principle 2 and Traceability
Géraldine meets Fishery Team Leader Qualification and Competency Criteria outlined in MSC FCP v.2.2, Annex
PC, Table PC1.
She has:
▪ A degree in a relevant subject.
▪ 3 years’ fisheries experience in the fisheries sector related to the tasks under her responsibility.
▪ Passed MSC’s fishery team leader training at least every 5 years.
▪ Review any updates to the MSC Fisheries Program Documents at least annually.
▪ Passed new version of the compulsory online training modules when new versions of the MSC certification
process are published prior to undertaking assessments against the revised MSC certification process.
▪ Passed the Lead Auditor ISO 19011 course.
▪ Had undertaken 2 MSC fishery assessments or surveillance site visits as a team member in the last 5 years.
▪ Has experience in applying different types of interviewing and facilitation techniques.
Géraldine has a PhD in Marine Ecology and Biology. She updated her MSC’s Fishery Team Leader training
completing the compulsory online training modules for version 2020. She passed the Lead Auditor ISO 19011
Form 13e Issue 4 January 2021 Page 9 of 53Table 3.Surveillance announcement.
course. Géraldine led numerous MSC assessments and audits in the last 5 years and has participated in
numerous site visits.
In addition, Géraldine meets the Principle 2, Traceability and Current knowledge of the country, language and
local fishery content components of the Fishery Team Qualification and Competency Criteria of Table PC3, she
has:
▪ 3 years’ experience in research into, policy analysis for, or management of, fisheries impacts on aquatic
ecosystems.
▪ Passed MSC’s Traceability module.
▪ Knowledge of a common language spoken by clients and stakeholders.
▪ 2 assignments in the country or region in which the fishery under assessment is based in the last 10 years.
Géraldine passed the MSC’s traceability online training including for version 2020. She has extensive experience
in studying fishing impacts on ecosystem in the North Atlantic, Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean and the
Caribbean. Géraldine was involved in numerous MSC assessments and audits in Canada in the last 5 years and
is fluent (mother tong) in French which is the common language used by the key stakeholders.
Géraldine does not have any conflicts of interest in relation to the fishery and a short biography is provided in
Appendix 1.
7 Proposed team members
Pr. Jean-Claude Brêthes, primarily responsible for Principles 1
Jean-Claude meets Fishery Team Member Qualification and Competency Criteria outlined in MSC FCP v.2.2,
Annex PC, Table PC2.
He has:
▪ A degree in a relevant subject.
▪ Passed MSC’s fishery team member training within the last 5 years.
▪ Reviewed any updates to the MSC Fisheries Program Documents at least annually. R
▪ Passed new version of the compulsory online training modules when new versions of the MSC Fisheries
Standard are published prior to undertaking assessments against the new MSC Fisheries Standard.
▪ Passed new online training modules on modifications to the MSC Fisheries Standard before undertaking
assessments using these modifications such as enhanced bivalves, salmon, and other modifications that
may be developed in the future.
Jean-Claude has a PhD in Marine Biology. He completed MSC’s Fishery Team Member training for Standard
v.1.3 and v.2.0 and reviewed the version 2020 of the MSC Fisheries Program Documents.
In addition, Jean-Claude meets the Principles 1 and Current knowledge of the country, language and local
fishery content components of the Fishery Team Qualification and Competency Criteria of Table PC3, he has:
▪ 3 years’ or more experience of applying relevant stock assessment techniques being used by the fishery
under assessment.
▪ 3 years’ or more experience working with the biology and population dynamics of the target or species
with similar biology.
▪ Knowledge of a common language spoken by clients and stakeholders.
▪ 2 assignments in the country or region in which the fishery under assessment is based in the last 10 years.
Jean-Claude has over 20 years’ experience in a large range of stock assessment techniques, research career
which focused primarily on fishery and crustacean population biology and ecology in Canada Atlantic. Career
included heavy involvement in the review and formulation of scientific advice for management of resources in
Atlantic Canada. Jean-Claude is fluent in French (mother tong) which is the common language spoken by the
client and stakeholders. He was involved in numerous MSC fisheries assessments and audits in Canada in the
last 5 years.
Jean-Claude does not have any conflicts of interest in relation to the fishery; and a short biography is provided
in Appendix 1.
8 Audit/review time and location
The off-site surveillance audit was held on 25th and 26th January 2021 from auditors’ office.
Form 13e Issue 4 January 2021 Page 10 of 53Table 3.Surveillance announcement.
9 Assessment and review activities
The objectives of this surveillance audit are:
1. To review any changes in the management of the fishery, including regulations, key management or scientific
staff or stock evaluation.
2. To review any developments or changes within the fishery which impact traceability and the ability to
segregate MSC from non-MSC products.
3. To review any other significant changes in the fishery.
10 Stakeholder opportunities
As part of this surveillance audit, the following stakeholder opportunities are available:
▪ Stakeholders may submit written input using the ‘MSC Template for Stakeholder Input into Fishery
Assessments’ which is available here: https://www.msc.org/what-you-can-do/engage-with-a-fishery-
assessment.
▪ Stakeholders may consult directly with the audit team during the period specified in the 8. Audit/review
time and location above.
Further information on Stakeholder input opportunities is provided in the Surveillance Announcement which is
available on the MSC webpage for this fishery.
Form 13e Issue 4 January 2021 Page 11 of 534.2 Background
Management measures for the 2020 fishing season
Management measures for the 2020 fishing season are presented in the Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP)
for lobster in LFA 22 approved on 24 April 2020 (DFO 2020a) and the 2020 Conditions of Licence (DFO 2020b).
Table 4 summarises the management measures applying for the 2020 lobster fishing season.
Table 4. Management measures for the 2020 fishing season. Source: DFO 2020a and DFO 2020b.
Fishing operations ● Fishing (lifting of traps) is authorised during the period comprised between 5:00 h and 21:30
h, form Monday to Saturday, with the exception of the last two fishing days of the season
when the fishing schedule does not apply.
● Fishing (lifting of traps) remains unauthorised on the day the traps are set, as well as on
Sundays. Moreover, if the setting of traps occurs on a day other than a Saturday, fishing is
unauthorised the following day.
● Harvesters are not authorized to hauls their traps more than once per day.
Fishing season 9 May 2020 to 11 July 2020
Fishing vessels Vessels with a length overall less than 15.24 metres (50 feet) may be used
Trap allocation 273 traps per licence
Number of licences 325
Fishing gear ● Traps with maximum outside dimensions not exceeding:
82 cm in length, 61 cm in width and 50 cm in height for rounds traps;
82 cm in length, 61 cm in width and 42 cm in height for square traps.
● Escape mechanisms: Each trap must be equipped with one rectangular escape vent (47 mm
high by 127 mm long) or two circular escape vents (65 mm diameter).
● Each lobster trap must be equipped with one exit panel.
● Trap lines (trawl): Minimum 7 traps per line; maximum 8 fathoms between each trap; and
maximum 56 fathoms from the first to the last trap, no matter the number of traps per line.
● Tagging: it is prohibited to have on board an untagged trap. Fish harvesters are authorized
to keep on board the fishing vessel two replacement traps, as long as they bear a valid tag. In
2019, the colour of original tags is mauve and the colour of replacement tags is grey.
Minimum Landing 83 mm carapace length (CL)
Size (MLS)
Logbook As of 2019, the use of electronic logbook (Elog) becomes mandatory for all lobster harvesters.
The Elog must be completed for each fishing expedition and “closed” before landing.
Incidental catches Any fish caught incidentally must be returned to the water and released in the exact capture
protocol location and, if the fish is still alive, with as little harm as possible.
Lobster fish harvesters are authorized to keep male rock crab incidental catches.
Fishing closures Lobster fishing is prohibited in lagoons, in a sector of the Grande-Entrée channel and in
aquaculture sites under federal lease.
Coral and sponge In December 2017, 11 coral and sponge conservation areas have been implemented in the
conservation area Estuary and Gulf of St Lawrence. Lobster traps, and all other bottom-contact fishing gears, are
prohibited in these conservation areas.
These conservation areas are shown in Figure 15 in section 3.2.6.3 Habitats of the Public
Certification Report1.
NARW management See section 4.2.3.2
measures
1 https://fisheries.msc.org/en/fisheries/iles-de-la-madeleine-lobster/@@assessments
Form 13e Issue 4 January 2021 Page 12 of 53Principle 1 updates
The Îles-de-la-Madeleine lobster stock was assessed in March 2019 (DFO 2019a). The outcome of the stock
assessment was presented in detail in the 1st surveillance report. No recent information was provided since
then, beside landings derived from sale slips. Catches obtained from logbooks are yet to be available.
The lobster stock is formally assessed every three years; however, indicators are monitored annually.
4.2.2.1 Annual surveys
Data related to at-sea sampling on-board fishing vessels, trawl survey and SCUBA survey are provided in Table
5. The covid-19 pandemic has impacted the 2020 surveys, the at-sea sampling has not been carried out.
The number of lobster measured was higher in 2019 than in 2018. The percentage of berried females
measured was higher in 2019 than in 2018. Although, the total surface sampled during the SCUBA survey was
lower in 2020 (190) than in 2019 (200) and 2018 (250), more lobsters were caught in 2020.
Table 5. Sampling and surveys carried out in the 2018-2020 period.
At-sea sampling
Total number of lobster measured
22 North 22 South
2018 7826 10055
2019 10124 11206
2020 NA NA
Number of berried females measured and
% compared to total number measured
22 North 22 South
2018 877 (11.21%) 900 (8.95%)
2019 1406 (13.89%) 1679 (14.98%)
2020 NA NA
Number of legal sized-female (F: female; BF: berried female) and
male lobster (M; 83 mm) measured and % compared to total
number measured.
22 North 22 South
2018 F: 2236 (28.57%) F: 1937 (19.26%)
BF: 538 (6.87%) BF: 383 (3.81%)
M: 2738 (34.99%) M: 3833 (38.12%)
2019 F: 2827 (27.92%) F: 1940 (17,31%)
BF: 881 (8.70%) BF: 658 (5.87%)
M:3267 (32.27%) M:4076 (36.37%)
2020 NA NA
Trawl survey
Period Number of Number of Number of lobster Total number of
stations trawl sets measured lobster caught
2018 2 to 18 sept 34 52 15125 16856
2019 3 to 13 sept 49 68 18651 20658
2020 4 to 13 sept 50 70 13649 13649
SCUBA survey
Period Number of Total surface Number of Number of
transects sampled (m2) lobster caught lobster
measured
2018 7 to 14 sept 5 250 766 728
2019 6 to 15 sept 5 200 800 786
2020 10 to 17 sept 4 190 1162 1141
Form 13e Issue 4 January 2021 Page 13 of 534.2.2.2 Lobster stock status
In 2020 (preliminary data), landings reached an historical high at 6,095 metric tons. Landings are used as a
proxy for the harvestable biomass. Reference points are based on those landings. The proxy for BMSY is the
average of the landings for the 1985-2009 period (2,188 t). The Upper Reference Point (URP, i.e. target
reference point), is set at 80% of that value (1,750 t). The threshold at which recruitment would be impaired,
Limit reference Point (LRP = PRI) is set at 40% BMSY (875 t).
Landings are above the URP since 1989 (Figure 1) and constantly above the 1985-2009 average (proxy for BMSY)
since 2004 (Figure 2).
7000 Landings (t)
6000
LRP
5000
USR
Metric tons
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020
Years
Figure 1. Lobster landings in Îles-de-la-Madeleine from 1984 to 2020. 2019 and 2020 data are preliminary. The
red line represents the LRP and the green line the USR. Drawn from DFO data.
3
2,5
2
1,5
1
0,5
0
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020
Years
Figure 2. Ratio between actual landings and the 1985-2009 landings average (proxy for BMSY). Drawn from DFO
data.
Other abundance, demographic and productivity indicators are either positive or stable (Table 6). Egg
production is 3.9 times the average of the 1994 -1996 period (before the minimum legal size increase). The
CPUE of berried females is increasing. Benthic settlement remains high.
High abundance, productivity and landings indicate that the Îles-de-la-Madeleine lobster stock is in good
condition and in the healthy zone according to the precautionary approach (landings above URP). In the
Form 13e Issue 4 January 2021 Page 14 of 53current environmental conditions, the recent exploitation levels have allowed these indicators to remain
stable or to improve lobster stock as assessed by the different measured indicators (DFO 2019).
Table 6. Summary of main indicators of the lobster stock status and the trend compared to average values.
Source: drawn from DFO 2019.
Indicator Value 2018 Reference Trend
Commercial CPUE (≥ 83 mm 1.48 Average 1985-2017 = 0.82
+
CL) – no/trap
Commercial CPUE (≥ 83 mm 0.98 Average 1985-2017 = 0.46
+
CL) –kg/trap
Trawl survey : density 10.6 Average 1995-2016 ≈ 6.7
+
commercial (no/1000m2)
Trawl survey : density 7.0 Average 1995-2016 ≈ 4.2
+
commercial (kg/1000m2)
Average size of landed South 92.0 South 2012-2015 : 91.7
Stable
lobsters (mm) North 92.2 North 2012-2015 : 92.9
Average weight of landed South 640 South 2012-2015 : 633
Stable
lobsters (g) North 644 North 2012-2015: 658
Berried females CPUE 0.26 2003-2010: 0.18
+
(no/trap) 1985-1996: 0.09
Egg production 3.9 times > average 1994 -1996 (before MLS increase). +
Benthic settlement -Density 1.05 Average 2002–2009 = 0.61
+
of young aged 1+ (no/m2)
Principle 2 updates
4.2.3.1 Primary and secondary species
The audit team was provided with data on non-target species catch and species used as bait from the elogs.
The audit team determines that there is no significant change in the non-target species composition and catch
level since the reassessment and the first surveillance audit that would require a rescoring.
Main primary species are redfish, Atlantic mackerel, winter flounder and yellowtail flounder used as bait. Table
7 presents an update on stocks status.
Table 7. Stock status of main primary species
Species Stock Stock status Reference
Redfish, Sebastes mentella In 2019, based on empirical reference points, S. DFO 2020c
and S. fasciatus Unit 1 mentella was well above the proposed USR and S.
fasciatus was between the LRP and the USR.
Atlantic mackerel, Northwest Stock is overfished, 2018 SSB is 77% of the LRP DFO 2019b
Scomber scrombus Atlantic compared to 59% of the LRP in 2016. SSB shows a
slow increasing trend from 2016 to 2018. However,
short term projections over three years shows that,
even under the most restrictive exploitation
scenarios, SSB will unlikely be greater than the LRP.
Winter flounder, Southern Gulf The SSB has been below the LRP since 2006. In 2016, DFO 2017
Pseudopleuronectes of St Lawrence the SSB was estimated at 52% of the LRP with 76% DFO 2020d
americanus (NAFO Div. 4T) probability of being below the LRP. Fishing mortality
is a very small proportion of the total mortality and
natural mortality is estimated to be the dominant
factor affecting winter flounder abundance.
The three-year moving average of the RV survey
biomass is used as an indicator of stock status in the
interim years of the multi-year management cycle.
Form 13e Issue 4 January 2021 Page 15 of 53For 2019, this indicator was below the threshold
value. The update concluded that the outcome of the
2017 stock assessment remains valid.
Yellowtail flounder, Southern Gulf There is no improvement in the yellowtail flounder DFO 2019c
Limanda ferruginea of St Lawrence status since the 2016 stock assessment. The
(NAFO Div. 4T) commercial biomass remains below the proxy LRP.
Fishing mortality was estimated to be low and natural
mortality appears to be the dominant factor affecting
the yellowtail flounder stock.
The only main secondary species identified during the reassessment was the rock crab (Cancer irroratus).
Although rock crab catches (retained and discarded) were estimated to be below 1%, a precautionary
approach was taken by defining rock crab as main secondary species due to the lack of accuracy of the amount
of rock crab discarded.
As per the data provided, the amount of rock retained by lobster harvester accounted for less than 1% of the
total catches. During the meeting with the lobster harvesters, it was mentioned that the amount of rock crab
caught decreased over the time due to the increase in lobster abundance, as rock crabs do not enter traps if
lobsters are already in. However, data on rock crab discarded recorded in elogs show an opposite trend with
an increase in discarded rock crab. This has been discussed during the meeting with DFO who warned the
team about the reliability of discarded rock crab data which may be overestimated or underestimated. DFO
acknowledged that effort should be put effort in improving the quality of information recorded in the elog and
in a cross-checking of this information.
4.2.3.2 Endangered, threatened and protected (ETP) species
There was no reporting of interaction and capture of ETP species in 2019 and 2020.
2020 management measures to minimise the risk of interaction of fixed gears with the North Atlantic right
whale (NARW)
The measures were formally announced to fishers by means of a Notice to Fish Harvesters issued on 8 May
2020 (DFO 2020e). These measures include:
• Season long closures (new in 2020)
The Gulf of St. Lawrence, in its entirety, will now be a dynamic area subject to a season long closure protocol,
as well as temporary closures when NARW are detected.
A season-long closure will be triggered if a NARW is detected in a grid that is already subject to a temporary
closure in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The detection, either by visual sighting or hydrophones (underwater
microphones), must be on a subsequent day of the original detection and within a 15 day-period of the original
detection.
The season-long closure extent in the Gulf of St. Lawrence will include :
• the immediate grid of the NARW detection that is already subject to a temporary closure,
• plus up to eight of the surrounding grids that :
o are already subject to a temporary closure
o are within the dynamic area, and
o are in waters deeper than the 20 fathom shallow water protocol line.
Once a season long closure is implemented, the affected grids will remain closed until November 15, 2020.
Season-long closures will continue to be implemented using the same fishing grid system used for temporary
closures, and will apply to non-tended fixed gear fisheries, crab trap fisheries and lobster trap fisheries.
• Temporary closures (new in 2020) (Figure 3)
The Bay of Fundy in its entirety, including the Grand Manan critical habitat area, will now be a dynamic area
subject to temporary closures.
Form 13e Issue 4 January 2021 Page 16 of 53The Gulf of St Lawrence dynamic area (in its entirety) and the Roseway Basin critical habitat area remain
subject to temporary closures.
A temporary closure is triggered when one or more NARW are detected, either by visual sighting or
hydrophones (underwater microphones), in areas that are subject to temporary closure protocols.
The temporary closures will be in force for a minimum period of 15 days from the date of the NARW detection,
including the gear removal period. The re-opening of temporary closed grids cannot take place until specific
aerial surveillance criteria are met. In the Bay of Fundy and the critical habitat areas of Roseway Basin and
Grand Manan, the 15 days closure period will be restarted if NARW remain in the area.
Closures will continue to be implemented using the same fishing grid system as in the past. The closure extent
will include the immediate grid of the detection, plus up to eight of the surrounding grids that are within the
dynamic or critical habitat area. The temporary closures will only be implemented in waters deeper than the
20 fathom shallow water protocol line, unless a detection is triggered in shallower waters (refer to the Shallow
Water Protocol Lines section below for further details).
The areas subject to temporary closures (referred to as the dynamic or critical habitat zones) are subject to
automatic closure protocols for non-tended fixed gear fisheries, crab trap fisheries and lobster trap fisheries.
License holders will be provided an advance notice of a minimum of 48 hours to remove their fishing gear from
the closing grids. Fish harvesters are requested to voluntarily slow down when retrieving gear in the closed
areas.
• Shallow water protocol lines
The provisions for the 20 and 10 shallow water protocol lines will apply to the dynamic areas of the Bay of
Fundy (including Grand Manan Critical Habitat Area) and of the Gulf of St Lawrence (Figure 3).
Temporary closures will only be implemented in waters less than the 20 and 10 fathom shallow water protocol
lines in the following circumstances:
• if there is a confirmed detection in waters shallower than the 20 fathom but deeper than the 10
fathom shallow water protocol lines, the extent of the nine grid closure will be limited to waters
deeper than the 10 fathom shallow water protocol line only. (Fish harvesters will be allowed to
continue to fish in waters shallower than the 10 fathom shallow water protocol line.);
• if there is a confirmed detection in waters shallower than the 10 fathom shallow water protocol line,
the nine grid closure will extend to the shoreline.
When there is a confirmed detection in waters deeper than the 20 fathom shallow water protocol line, the
extent of the nine grid closure will be limited to waters deeper than the 20 fathom shallow water protocol
line.
• Additional technology to detect NARW
In 2020, in addition to visual sightings from aircraft and vessels, acoustic underwater technology
(hydrophones) will also be used to confirm the presence of NARW and to support management decisions.
• Lobster Fishing Area 38 pilot project
The pilot project for Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 38 will continue through the 2020 season. Fish harvesters in
LFA 38 will continue to implement measures similar to those applied in the United States (i.e. removing lines
in the water and applying gear modifications based on whale presence). The pilot project will be reviewed in
2020 to determine whether it could be applied on a longer-term basis, and to assess if elements of it could
apply in other fisheries.
• Crab Fishing Area 19 – pre-season surveillance
Form 13e Issue 4 January 2021 Page 17 of 53Surveillance flights will be flown over Crab Fishing Area (CFA) 19 in the weeks prior to July 1, 2020. If no whales are detected, any closed grids within CFA 19 will be re-opened. If whales are detected, the season-long closure protocol will apply. • In waters outside of the dynamic and critical habitat areas In waters outside of the dynamic and critical habitat areas (meaning outside of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Bay of Fundy and critical habitat areas of Grand Manan and Roseway Basin), closures will be considered on a case- by-case basis. Special consideration will be given for detections of three or more NARW, or a mother and calf NARW. Form 13e Issue 4 January 2021 Page 18 of 53
Figure 3. North Atlantic right whale management measures for 2020. The area subject to the temporary closure is in grey. Source: DFO 2020e. • Additional measures related to the protection of the NARW in Canada for 2020 As previously announced, a mandatory gear marking color scheme for fishing ropes is being implemented in 2020 in all of Eastern Canada (Table 8). It allows to differentiate between Canadian and United States entanglements and will help to improve Canadian fisheries management measures. Form 13e Issue 4 January 2021 Page 19 of 53
Table 8. Mandatory colour scheme (Region and species). Source. DFO 2020f.
*Blue & blue, black & black and/or red & red combination means there should be two distinct strands of the same colour interlaced
within the same rope section (one single strand is not acceptable)
1 “Multi-region fishery” is specific to instances of inter-regionally managed fisheries, where each Region is wholly responsible for
managing their own fleet but they share the exact same fishing area, licence conditions, and so on, as another fleet in another
Region. Each Region issues the same licence conditions to their harvesters. A common base colour was given to ensure a regional
division was not created within a shared industry.
2 Pattern strand is necessary as no other solid colours are available. The selected fisheries must use a twine that contains a two colour
pattern on one of the single strands (white/black pattern, red/white pattern). This is to be used in addition to the Regional colour. See
Annex 4 for a pamphlet showing examples of twine colours such as a red/white pattern strand colour (named “Oh Canada” in
pamphlet).
3 The “Scientific licence” colour scheme implementation is subject to regional analysis on a case by case basis depending on the type
of activity being conducted.
A third colour is used to identify the fishing area. The colour representing LFA 22 – Îles-de-la-Madeleine is
white (DFO 2020f). Therefore, the lobster traps ropes in LFA 22 – Îles-de-la-Madeleine are marked in green
(Quebec Region), yellow (lobster) and white (LFA 22) (Table 8 and Figure 4).
Figure 4. Colour scheme for lobster in LFA 22. Source: DFO 2020f.
DFO will also continue its comprehensive efforts from 2018 and 2019, such as :
• Maintaining focused surveillance on the water, under water and in the air to detect whales;
• Continuing to monitor vessel locations and movement to ensure compliance with the measures;
• Maintaining measures to minimize the amount of rope in the water and to more effectively track rope
and buoys;
• Maintaining mandatory reporting for lost gear and interactions with marine mammals; and,
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