The future of cod stocks off Newfoundland continues to remain uncertain.
In mid-2020, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) announced that after several years of perceived growth, recovery of the Northern cod stock seemed to have stalled.
Now DFO is saying that cod stocks off the southern coast of Newfoundland in NAFO area 3Ps are also in bad shape.
In its latest assessment, DFO said that the all-important 3Ps spawning stock biomass (SSB) on January 1, 2021 is projected to be 25 kilotonnes (kt) (18 kt – 35 kt) with an assumed catch of 2,702 tonnes in 2020. The puts the stock in the critical zone (38 per cent of the limit reference point (LRP) of 27–53 per cent) as defined by the DFO precautionary approach (PA) framework. This stock has been below the LRP since the early 2000s.
Federal scientists report that they are observing higher natural mortality rates of cod over the latest decade, with the highest numbers reported in 2019. DFO is speculating that warming waters in the area might have something to do with the poor condition of the fish.
The federal Fisheries Department also told the Canadian Press that the number of newly-born cod has been below the long-term average since the mid-1990s, adding that the struggling population might also be dealing with food scarcity.
The union representing 3Ps fish harvesters, the FFAW-Unifor, also expressed its concern over the news on south coast cod stocks.
“The 2020 Department of Fisheries and Oceans stock assessment of 3Ps cod indicated continued low levels of the stock due to high natural mortality rates, while fishing mortality remains low. Despite strong opposition by FFAW-Unifor for the last several years on the operation of the offshore fishery and seal predation in the area of 3Ps, the federal government has allowed continued fishing by the offshore and there has been very little effort to determine seal predation levels in 3Ps. FFAW-Unifor continues to raise the alarm on the impacts from seal populations and from offshore draggers to this vulnerable stock.”
“Last year, the 3Ps cod quota was set at 2,691 tonnes. According to past practice, when the 3Ps cod quota is set below the 10,000-tonne threshold, offshore trawlers are removed from the fishery. This was the case in 1997 when the fishery re-opened in the area. Despite this precedent, consecutive Ministers of Fisheries and Oceans have continued to permit offshore dragger activity in the area,” the added in a press release.
However, the organization representing the offshore sector in the region took a more optimistic approach to the future of the south coast cod fishery.
The Atlantic Groundfish Council (AGC) said “Our approach to stock assessments include realistic expectations, practical recommendations and an unwavering commitment to sustainability. We know that stock growth takes time, so we don’t expect profound changes in a single year. This is especially true in 2020 with the unfortunate but understandable cancellation of DFO Science surveys due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” explained Kris Vascotto, AGC Executive Director.
“That said, there were positive signals which we were quite happy to see. There were also some troubling inconsistencies with last year’s assessment.”
Vascotto explained that the positive signals included a higher spawning stock biomass (i.e., the amount of fish at a reproductive age) and encouraging recruitment signals (younger fish).
“Although the stock continues to be in the critical zone, the 2020 assessment confirmed that fishing is a minor component of the overall mortality of the stock and fishing mortality was at its lowest point in decades. Following years of the Atlantic Groundfish Council advocating for a conservative approach on catches to encourage the stock to grow, this assessment signals that efforts of the AGC are beginning to show positive results,” the organization stated in a press release.
The AGC added that although the offshore sector’s share of the total allowable catch is only 12 per cent, that share directly secures hundreds of local jobs, indirectly benefits hundreds more and ensures year-round cod supply to vital European markets.
One of those companies is Arnold’s Cove-based Icewater Seafoods.
“The key takeaway for Icewater Seafoods and what I share with our 215 employees who rely on cod for their livelihoods, is this demonstrates that we are approaching this stock in a responsible and sustainable manner,” explained Alberto Wareham, President and CEO.
“Even with our plant operating at less than half capacity, we have consistently championed catch reductions based on DFO’s science. We remain committed to keeping the health of the stock at the forefront and are optimistic that we will see more substantive growth in a few years.”
Blaine Sullivan, President of Ocean Choice, noted that there are many families and communities depending on a sustainable fishery, including those of the offshore harvesters on its vessels.
“While this stock is primarily fished by inshore harvesters, offshore harvesters are participants in this fishery and have a responsibility to do our part to rebuild the stock. It’s a responsibility we take seriously and we will continue to advocate for restraint on future catches.”
“While waiting for nature to cooperate, the AGC and its partner, the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, continue their action plan supporting the Fishery Improvement Project launched in 2017. Focusing on gaps in 3Ps science and management, this project seeks to prepare the stock for eventual Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification once the stock returns to historic norms of productivity,” the seafood processor organization noted in its release.
