2015 Canadian Recreational Fishery Halibut Catch Report

January 11, 2016

Report Prepared for the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC)

Submitted by: Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) 401 Burrard St. Vancouver, Canada

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Table of Contents

1. SUMMARY ...... 3

1.1. Harvest ...... 3 Table 1. Estimated Harvest in Pieces and Pounds by Regional Area ...... 3 Figure 1. Percentage of Halibut pieces harvested in pieces and weight by Regional Area...... 3

1.2. Biological Samples ...... 3 Table 2. Number of Halibut Biologically Sampled by Area and Source ...... 4 Figure 3. Halibut sampled for length or weight by area and the samples by source ...... 4

1.3. Fishery Logistics ...... 4

2. MANAGEMENT, MONITORING AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT ...... 5

2.1. Recreational Fishery Management Plan ...... 5

2.2. Halibut Experimental Recreational Fishery Program ...... 6

3. RECREATIONAL ASSESSMENT PROGRAMS ...... 6

3.1. Background...... 6

3.2. Recreational Fishery Catch Monitoring Initiatives ...... 7

3.3. Creel Survey (HGCS) ...... 7 Haida Watchmen (Guardians) ...... 7

3.4. North Coast Creel Survey (NCCS) ...... 7

3.5. Central Coast and Areas 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 ...... 8

3.6. South Coast Creel Survey ...... 8 Table 3. South Coast surveys in inside waters (Johnstone and Georgia and Juan de Fuca Straits) ...... 9 Table 4. South Coast surveys in outside waters (West Coast of ) ...... 9

3.7. Biological Sampling ...... 10

4. DATA ...... 11 Table 5. Summary of the 2015 Recreational Halibut Catch Estimate by Pacific Fishery Management Area (PFMA) 11 Table 6. Preliminary Recreational Halibut Monthly Catch Estimates (net wt. lbs) for 2013, 2014 and 2015 ...... 12 Table 7. Estimated Halibut Catch in Pieces...... 13

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Table 8. Estimated Catch in Net Weight (lbs) ...... 14

REFERENCES ...... 15

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1. SUMMARY

This report summarizes the 2015 harvest and biological data from the Canadian recreational Halibut fishery in the tidal waters of British Columbia (BC). The recreational total allowable catch for 2015 was 1,063,550 pounds1 and the estimated harvest is 984,665 pounds (78,885 pound underage). The estimated harvest by pieces is 62,806.

The 2015 season opened on February 1 and closed on December 31. Monitoring occurred during peak months and peak areas of the fishery to collect catch, effort and biological data. A variety of tools are used including logbooks (paper and electronic), lodge manifests and recreational creel monitoring programs.

Final estimates are anticipated to be available by the spring of 2016. Estimated harvest by piece count and net weight by regional areas are noted below.

1.1. Harvest

Table 1. Estimated Harvest in Pieces and Pounds by Regional Area Area Pieces Pounds

North Coast 32,496 473,388 Central Coast 3,354 36,172 South Coast 26,956 475,105

Totals 62,806 984,665

Figure 1. Percentage of Halibut harvested by piece and weight by Regional Area.

1.2. Biological Samples

1 Pounds in this document refer to net weight (head off, dressed) pounds. See Biological Sampling section for the equations used to convert round weight (head on, undressed) and fork length to net weight. 3

A coast wide total of 17,925 halibut were biologically sampled for either length or weight in 2015, representing 27% of the estimated harvest. The numbers of biological samples collected by regional areas and by source are noted below.

Table 2. Number of Halibut Biologically Sampled by Regional Area and Source Area Source Pieces Creel 2,884 North Coast Logbook 10,634 Central Coast Logbook 3,242 Creel 1,165 South Coast Logbook 2,715 Creel 4,049 Coastwide Logbook 16,591 Grand Total 17,925

Figure 2. Halibut sampled for length or weight by area and samples by source.

1.3. Fishery Logistics

Catch monitoring of the recreational fishery in BC is extremely challenging given the large geographic areas (numerous remote areas), the diversity of fishing opportunities and the diversity of participants.

In 2015, the 2015‐16 Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence included revised Conditions of Licence that makes catch reporting mandatory: The licence holder shall provide accurate information regarding their catch and fishing activities upon request of a Creel Surveyor or an on‐line surveyor, authorities designated under s.61(5) of the Fisheries Act. Conditions of Licence also included regulations related to possession limits, size limits and an annual limit.

DFO continues to work with the BC Sport Fishing Advisory Board to develop catch monitoring standards for fishery management requirements.

It is important to develop an agreed‐upon standard for all recreational fishery data collection and handling that is fair to all jurisdictions (reasonable coverage levels and cost effective) for both domestic and IPHC use. This is consistent with Canada's Catch Limit Principles (put forward at the 4

2011 Annual IPHC Meeting) whereby principle 3 states: All removals from both directed and non‐ directed fisheries must be monitored at a defined minimum standard of accuracy. In addition, this was a request put forward by conference board four years ago.

In response to the IPHC’s 2012 request for data collection programs on recreational discards, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has reviewed its existing recreational halibut catch and release information and examined options for the estimation of release mortalities. DFO does obtain some information from anglers on the number of halibut releases through creel surveys, logbooks and internet surveys. However, the information is incomplete (some times of year and some areas of the coast are not covered) and is based solely on fisher‐dependent reports. In BC, anglers are not currently required to record size or condition of released fish; such a practice can present challenges in terms of angler safety, application of correct measurement techniques, logistics of reporting the data, and inaccuracies due to various types of bias, such as recall, rounding, and prestige bias. There are also several reasons released halibut may be a different average size compared to the average size of retained fish, such as size limits and angler preferences. Given these various limitations of the information available, DFO does not currently use recreational release data for the purposes of recreational halibut management or allocation decisions.

DFO continues to work with the recreational fishery sector in BC to improve recreational fishery monitoring and catch reporting. While the current focus remains on strengthening data collection and monitoring for retained catch in recreational fisheries, new reporting tools such as the internet recreational effort and catch (iREC) survey of recreational harvesters include questions about anglers’ releases. As the survey moves from the testing phase to implementation, DFO will be exploring how the data gathered on releases may be used to inform management.

2. MANAGEMENT, MONITORING and POLICY DEVELOPMENT

2.1. 2015 Recreational Fishery Management Plan

The current domestic sharing arrangement between commercial and recreational fisheries is 85% of the resource allocated to the commercial sector and 15% to the recreational sector.” The 15% recreational share equates to a total allowable catch of 1,063,550 pounds.

The recreational halibut fishery opened on February 1 under the same licence conditions as 2014. The management measures included:  A maximum length of 133 cm (approx. 52 inches)  A daily limit of one and a possession limit of two, only one of which may be greater than 90cm (35 inches)  An Annual limit of six (6), to be recorded on the Tidal Waters Licence  A mandatory Condition of Licence for catch reporting.

The opening was for all Pacific Fishery Management Areas with the exception of portions of Area 121. Anglers were not permitted to fish for nor retain halibut in Area 121 outside the twelve nautical mile limit and in the waters of Swiftsure Bank.

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DFO and the Sport Fishing Advisory Board (SFAB) Halibut Sub‐committee reviewed in‐season catch estimates on a monthly basis. In‐season forecasts to the end of August estimated recreational catch of approximately 1,073,000 pounds, and an estimated balance remaining from the recreational allocation of approximately 10,000 pounds. Given the estimated balance and historically lower effort during the winter time period, DFO announced the fishery would continue through to December 31.

For 2016, the SFAB is considering various management options that they may recommend to DFO to extend the fishing season within the recreational allocation. These options may include changes to:  Minimum and Maximum size limits  Individual annual limits  Daily and total possession limits  Season length  Time and area closures

2.2. Halibut Experimental Recreational Fishery Program

In 2011, the Department piloted an experimental fishery program where interested recreational stakeholders, such as individual recreational harvesters, lodges, charters, guides or marinas, could request an experimental licence that would allow them to lease quota from commercial harvesters through a market based transfer mechanism. The experimental licence permits licence holders to fish halibut beyond the limits and times of the regular recreational licence. In 2012, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada confirmed that the experimental licence would continue to be available and announced the Department was moving forward with a regulatory proposal. This year, the experimental fishery commenced April 1 and remained open until December 31, 2015. As of January 9, 2016, 8,653 pounds of halibut quota has been transferred from the commercial sector to experimental licence holders, of which 5,082 pounds of halibut has been caught.

3. RECREATIONAL ASSESSMENT PROGRAMS

3.1. Background

Marine creel surveys in BC began in 1980. Originally developed to estimate the catch of chinook and coho salmon in the , the geographical scope expanded to include and Alberni Inlet in 1984, the entire West Coast of Vancouver Island (WCVI) in 1991, Haida Gwaii and the rest of the North Coast in 1995, and most recently in 1998. The objectives of the creel survey have been expanded to include estimates for most recreationally caught finfish, including halibut. In 2014, creel programs were implemented in peak fishing times and areas with specific emphasis on halibut and chinook fishing activities.

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Lodges operating along the coast provide census data to the Department through the logbook program, manifest data or the electronic log (elog) pilot program. This data is combined with the angler survey data, where applicable, to produce estimates of catch for each PFMA by month.

3.2. Recreational Fishery Catch Monitoring Initiatives

DFO has been working with the Sport Fishing Advisory Board (SFAB) on an implementation plan for strengthening our recreational fishery monitoring and catch reporting programs in the Pacific which falls under the Strategic Framework for Fishery Monitoring and Catch Reporting in the Pacific Fisheries described above. In 2015, the working group defined and conducted a risk assessment which resulted in the development of a three tiered approach based on risk. The three‐tiered approach will utilize an “extensive” internet based survey (iREC) from a sample of all licence holders to assess catch across all modes of recreational harvesting; logbook and lodge manifest program to census the catch of anglers than have been guided by professional guides and charter boat operators; and creel surveys similar to current programs with refinements to address potential biases.

The internet based survey (iREC) has been piloted for almost four years. The program methodology and results were reviewed by the Canadian Scientific Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) peer review process in 2015.

3.3. Haida Gwaii Creel Survey (HGCS)

The Haida Gwaii Creel Survey (HGCS) estimates recreational catch from the areas surrounding Haida Gwaii. Since 1995, the Haida Fisheries Program has conducted a creel survey program to estimate catch from recreational anglers in , Naden Harbour, Langara Island, Skidegate Channel, Cartwright Sound and Rennell Sound using a study design developed by LGL Environmental Research Associates. Estimates of catch are generated monthly and forwarded to DFO. This information is combined with data submitted through the logbook program to generate total catch estimates for Areas 1 and 2.

Haida Watchmen (Guardians)

Fish caught in Haida Gwaii by recreational harvesters are subject to random audits by the Haida Watchmen (Guardians) through the HGCS, which operates in the main fishing months in Area 1 and parts of Area 2.

3.4. North Coast Creel Survey (NCCS) The Area 3 and 4 Creel Program collects catch information from the recreational fishery surrounding Prince Rupert and Port Edward on the North Coast of B.C. It is focused in Areas 3 and 4, comprising the waters of between the mouths of the Nass and Skeena Rivers. Chatham Sound is bordered by the Alaska/BC border to the north, Dundas and Stephens Island groups to the west and Porcher Island to the south, covering an area of approximately 4,200 km2.

In 2015, the North Coast Skeena First Nations Stewardship Society (NCSFNSS), an aggregate of six North Coast B.C. First Nations, was granted resources from the Pacific Salmon Commission to 7 operate the Area 3 and 4 Creel Program and has done so using the same study design as was used by DFO during 2008‐2014. During the 2015 season, program staff collected 734 length measurements from Pacific Halibut caught by anglers in Areas 3 and 4. Biological measurements were associated with area‐based angling location data reported by anglers during interviews.

Methodology

The Area 3 and 4 Creel Program has a hybrid design with four components: an access point angler interview survey, an aerial effort count survey, a trailer census and a fishing lodge logbook program. The study design is similar to the one used in the South Coast Creel Survey (SCCS).

Access point angler interview surveys collect catch information, angling activity times and biological samples of selected species from anglers at the completion of the fishing trip. The data is used to calculate species specific Catch per Unit Effort (CPUE) values and create angler activity profiles. Aerial surveys are conducted to capture the ‘instantaneous’ counts of the number of boats fishing at the time of the flight and are used to expand the angler effort profiles generated from the ground surveys to produce an estimate of total daily effort. Lodges in the area submit logbooks to DFO post‐season. Lodge data is treated as a complete census of catch, is summed and added to the creel estimates to get an estimate of total catch. To prevent bias in the effort estimates from lodge boats counted during the aerial surveys, a temporal‐spatial analysis is conducted of lodge logbook data for days when the overflight occurs and any boats that were fishing in the survey area during the time of the flight are removed from the final count of boats fishing in the area.

3.5. Areas 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9

Catch information in Areas 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 is solely collected from lodges and some charter operators operating in these areas, primarily through the logbook program. Most lodges participate in the logbook program and collect catch, effort and biological data that are submitted to the Department on a monthly basis. There is no monitoring program to estimate the number of halibut caught by independent anglers or guides in these areas due to the challenges with implementing a creel survey in a remote and geographically dispersed fishery.

This year lodges in Central Coast Areas 7, 8 and 9 participated in the halibut biological sampling project. The three main objectives of the project are to collect logbook and halibut weight data, to check the scales at the lodges for make, model and accuracy, and to verify the weights being recorded in the logbooks. Logbook and biological data were collected from seventeen lodges operating in these Areas. Throughout the summer, DFO staff and contracted observers visited lodges during periods of highest catch to verify the accuracy and quality of the data being reported. Seven lodges were visited in 2015, resulting in a total of 128 verified halibut samples.

3.6. South Coast Creel Survey (SCCS)

In the southern coastal waters of BC creel surveys are the main tool to estimate catch of halibut and other species from boat based angling. Surveys are conducted in select fishery strata based on: the highest catch of halibut and chinook, the highest effort, in‐season management requirements, and potential impact on stocks of concern. Creel surveys consist of effort surveys 8 and estimation of catch per boat trip based on fishery observers at selected ramps and marinas.

Data collected during angler interviews are recorded in the South Coast Marine Creel Survey form and provide average catch by species and fishing times, while aerial counts from chartered aircraft capture ‘instantaneous’ counts of the number of recreational boats fishing on randomly selected dates. Fishing times obtained from angler interviews are used to generate daily fishing activity profiles which are used to expand the ‘instantaneous’ aerial counts to estimate the number of boats fishing each day. In the most basic sense, the estimate of boats fishing is multiplied by the average catch to estimate the total number of halibut caught each day. Estimates are generated at monthly or occasionally for two week periods where samples rates are high. The estimates are stratified by weekend and holidays vs. weekday dates. In addition, logbook catch data submitted by remote fishing lodges, independent guides and expert anglers are incorporated into creel estimates post season. The survey in (PFMA's 26, 126) is entirely logbook‐based, as fishing from lodges is represents essentially all recreational effort in this remote area.

Catch and effort is estimated by creel sub‐area and rolled up to DFO Pacific Fishery Management Area by month. South Coast waters include PFMA Area 11 through 29. The Port Hardy survey also collects information from recreational fishing trips in Area 10.

Creel surveys are active during the peak season of recreational angling and vary in duration depending on location. The spatial and temporal coverage of the SCCS can vary year to year in response to budget and fisheries priorities. In 2015, surveys were conducted in months outlined in Tables 3 and 4.

Table 3. South Coast surveys in inside waters (Johnstone and Georgia and Juan de Fuca Straits) Location PFMA's Duration Port Hardy 10, 11, 12 Jun. – Aug. Campbell River 13, 14 Jun. – Oct. Sunshine Coast 15, 16 Jun. Nanaimo 17, 18 May – Jun. Victoria 19, 20 Apr. – Oct. Vancouver 28, 29 Aug. – Sep.

Table 4. South Coast surveys in outside waters (West Coast of Vancouver Island) Location PFMA's Duration Port Renfrew 20, 21, 121 Jun. – Sep. Barkley Sound 123 Jun. – Sep. Port Alberni 23 Jun. – Sep. Tofino 124, 123 Jul. – Sep. Tahisis/Nootka 25, 125 Jun. – Aug. Kyuquot 26, 126 Jun. – Aug. 9

Winter Harbour 27, 127 Jul.– Aug.

For further details on the methodology and results of the South Coast Creel survey, including catch and effort estimates with level of uncertainty, please visit: http://www‐ops2.pac.dfo‐mpo.gc.ca/xnet/content/salmon/sc%20stad/bulletins.htm

3.7. Biological Sampling

A total of 17,925 halibut were sampled for lengths or weights, representing 27% of the total estimated coastwide harvest. Samples were collected from lodges, guides and independent anglers interviewed at access points and converted to net weight, head off and dressed, using the following formulas developed by the IPHC:

Net Weight = Fork Length (cm)3.24 X (6.921 X 10‐6) Net Weight = Round Weight X 0.75

Average net weights were calculated for each Area on a monthly basis to generate estimates of total net weight by month and area caught in the fishery.

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4. DATA

The following tables provide detailed catch and biological information collected during the 2015 recreational halibut fishery in BC. Note: these figures are preliminary and subject to change.

Table 5. Summary of the 2015 Recreational Halibut Catch by Pacific Fishery Management Area (PFMA)

Est. Halibut Piece Est. Halibut Total Net Regional Area DFO PFMA Count Wt. (lbs)

1 11,550 130,175 2 7,250 121,780 North Coast 3 4,552 66,314 4 8,423 143,075 5/6 2,444 34,450 7 Central Coast 8 522 5,790 9 1,109 11,976 10/11 1,165 25,005 12 3,910 49,737 13/14861,406 15-18/28/29 74 988 19 4,644 108,837 20 804 23,506 South Coast 21/121 3,482 52,517 23/123 3,847 40,064 24/124 1,816 31,579 25/125 1,096 29,850 26/126 2,439 49,740 27/127 3,593 61,876

Total Landed in Canada 62,806 984,665

Rec TAC (15% of total CDN) 1,063,550 Balance (net wt lbs). 78,885

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Table 6. Recreational Halibut Monthly Catch Estimates (net wt. lbs) for 2013, 2014 and 2015. Net Weight (lbs) Cumulative Net Weight (lbs) Month 2013 2014 2015 2013 2014 2015 Feb na 919 8,082 na 919 8082 March 20,827 9,434 18,389 20,827 10,353 26,471 April 14,863 15,246 47,765 35,689 25,598 74,236 May 21,443 44,853 22,768 57,132 70,451 97,004 June 207,143 195,083 211,587 264,275 265,534 308,590 July 264,755 315,075 337,436 529,030 580,609 646,026 Aug 258,099 297,439 302,395 787,129 878,048 948,422 Sept 20,478 30,163 23,795 807,606 908,212 972,216 Oct 2,145 2,220 4,782 809,751 910,432 976,998 Nov 2,016 1,515 3,833 811,767 911,946 980,832 Dec 2016 1,515 3,833 813,784 913,461 984,665 Total 813,784 913,461 984,665

Recreational Allocation (15% of Canadian TAC) 1,063,550 Estimated Total Catch 984,665 Balance (net wt lbs) 78,885

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Table 7. 2015 Estimated Halibut Catch in Pieces Total PFMA Feb March April May June July August Sep Oct Nov Dec Pieces 1 - - - 150 3,400 3,600 3,800 600 - - - 11,550 2 - - - 300 2,100 2,300 2,300 250 - - - 7,250 3 - - - 44 1,316 1,333 1,859 - - - - 4,552 4 - - - 83 2,236 2,762 3,342 - - - - 8,423 5/6 ------7 ------4,075 4,075 8 ------9 ------10/11 - - - - 361 645 152 7 - - - 1,165 12 - - 3 12 660 1,526 1,675 34 - - - 3,910 13/14 18 - - 1 38 29 - - - - - 86 15-18/28/29 - - - 29 1 - - 16 28 - - 74 19 379 839 1,637 597 59 320 241 176 132 132 132 4,644 20 48 26 281 16 170 98 67 17 27 27 27 804 21/121 - - - - 583 1,987 730 181 1 - - 3,482 23/123 - - - 8 684 1,857 1,053 245 - - - 3,847 24/124 - - 1 4 643 715 452 1 - - - 1,816 25/125 - - - - - 674 419 2 1 - - 1,096 26/126 - - - 5 342 1,190 883 19 - - - 2,439 27/127 - - - 5 341 1,688 1,552 7 - - - 3,593

2015 Monthly 445 865 1,922 1,273 13,709 22,557 19,902 1,626 189 159 159 62,806 Totals Cum. 445 1,310 3,232 4,505 18,214 40,771 60,673 62,299 62,488 62,647 62,806 Note: 1) Months with no values indicate data unavailable 2) Due to privacy concerns monthly totals for Areas 5/6, 7, 8 and 9 were combined

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Table 8. 2015 Estimated Halibut Catch in Net Weight (lbs) PFMA Feburary March April May June July August Sept Oct Nov Dec Total 1 - - - 1,677 40,875 40,489 40,384 6,750 - - - 130,175 2 - - - 5,038 38,706 36,951 37,409 3,675 - - - 121,780 3 - - - 634 19,430 15,047 31,203 - - - - 66,314 4 - - - 1,357 36,550 45,874 59,294 - - - - 143,075 5/6 ------7 ------48,216 48,216 8 ------9 ------10/11 - - - - 8,007 13,542 3,285 172 - - - 25,005 12 - - 20 125 9,342 18,902 20,969 378 - - - 49,737 13/14 318 - - 11 659 418 - - - - - 1,406 15-18/28/29 - - - 391 3 - - 216 378 - - 988 19 6,769 17,912 40,676 12,238 1,651 9,388 5,715 4,724 3,763 3,001 3,001 108,837 20 995 478 7,026 570 6,708 3,418 2,081 - 566 833 833 23,506 21/121 - - - - 8,719 28,588 12,151 3,013 47 - - 52,517 23/123 - - - 68 8,886 18,405 9,844 2,860 - - - 40,064 24/124 - - 43 188 10,120 9,682 11,530 15 - - - 31,579 25/125 - - - - - 18,482 11,209 130 29 - - 29,850 26/126 - - - 105 6,450 25,887 16,855 444 - - - 49,740 27/127 - - - 118 7,245 31,193 23,256 63 - - - 61,876

2015 Monthly 8,082 18,389 47,765 22,768 211,587 337,436 302,395 23,795 4,782 3,833 3,833 984,665 Totals Cum. 8,082 26,471 74,236 97,004 308,590 646,026 948,422 972,216 976,998 980,832 984,665 Note: 1) Months with no values indicate data unavailable 2) Due to privacy concerns monthly totals for Areas 5/6, 7, 8 and 9 were combined

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References

Zetterberg, P.R., Maher, J.M., and Watson, N.M., 2009. Strait of Georgia recreational fishery creel survey finfish data, 2002 to 2006. Can. Data Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 1212: xix + 299 p.

Van Tongeren, V.A. 2009. North Coast (Areas 3 & 4) Creel Survey Statistics for Salmon and Groundfish. Can. Manusr. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2907:97p.

Bocking, Robert C. and Gary F. Searing, March 2000. Haida Gwaii Creel Survey of Ocean Sport Fisheries, Area 1 and 2W. LGL Limited.

South Coast Stock Assessment Creel Survey Bulletin #1 – Program Overview, 30 July 2015. http://www‐ops2.pac.dfo‐mpo.gc.ca/xnet/content/salmon/sc%20stad/sc_creel/2015‐1.pdf

DFO. 2015. Evaluation of the Internet Recreational Effort and Catch (iREC) Survey methods. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2015/059. http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas- sccs/publications/sar-as/2015/2015_059-eng.html

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