Science Response 2017/024

2016 4X5Yb Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) Stock Status Update

Context

Although Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) in the 4X5Yb area have supported a commercial fishery since the 1700s, their abundance has declined in number and biomass since 1980.  In 2003, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assessed the Maritimes Designatable Unit (DU) of Atlantic Cod as Special Concern (COSEWIC 2003).  In 2010, COSEWIC re-assessed Atlantic Cod, and split the Maritimes DU into two new DUs, the Laurentian South DU and the Southern DU, and assessed the Southern DU as Endangered due to significant decline in abundance and evidence of an unexplained increase in natural mortality in 4X (COSEWIC 2010). 

A Recovery Potential Assessment (RPA) was carried out by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science in 2011 to provide the information and scientific advice required to meet various requirements of the Species at Risk Act (SARA).  The RPA used data (1980-2008) from the most recent peer reviewed stock assessment (DFO 2009) to explore the consequences of particular productivity assumptions and catch scenarios (DFO 2011a).  The last 4X5Yb Atlantic Cod stock status update was in 2014 (DFO 2015) and the present Science Response is the result of a request for a stock status update from Fisheries Management (Maritimes Region) using most recent DFO Summer Research Vessel surveys (2015-2016) and fishery landing data up to 2015.

This Science Response Report results from the Science Response Process of December 2, 2016, on the Stock Status Update of 4X5Y Cod.

Complete document (PDF, 569 KB)

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