Science Response 2017/034

Northern (NAFO Divs. 2J3KL) Cod Stock Update

Context

A conservation limit reference point (LRP) was established for Northern cod in 2010 (DFO 2011) and is defined as the average spawning stock biomass (SSB) during the 1980s. This reference point defines the boundary between the critical and cautious zones within the Precautionary Approach (PA) framework (DFO 2009) and defines the stock level below which serious harm is occurring and the ability to produce good recruitment is seriously impaired. The most recent assessment (March 2016) used an integrated catch-at-age Northern Cod Assessment Model (NCAM, Cadigan 2016b, DFO 2016) to determine population size of the Northern cod stock. Conclusions based on this model were that the stock size (SSB) has increased considerably over the past decade to 34% of the LRP but remains in the critical zone of the DFO PA framework. In addition, projections indicate a low probability (5-8%) that the SSB would reach the LRP by 2018 and a low risk (< 4%) of SSB declining below the 2015 value. The scientific advice from the most recent full assessment (DFO 2016) stated that removals should be kept to the lowest possible level to promote stock growth. There are no explicit timelines for stock rebuilding upon which to base advice, but a rebuilding plan for this stock is currently under development.

The Northern cod stock has been subjected to ongoing stewardship and recreational fisheries in the inshore since 2006. The previous multi-year management plan (2013-15) for the stewardship fishery was an individual quota (IQ) based plan, whereby each harvester was permitted an annual allowance of 2.3 t (= 5,000 lb). The management approach changed in 2016 from an IQ for the stewardship fishery to weekly landing limits per fisher (2,000 lbs from August 15-September 4 then 3,000 lbs from September 4-December 16), and the requirement that fish could be caught only within the fisher’s home bay was removed.

The recreational fishing season was extended in 2016, with recreational fishers being allowed to fish on weekends, including both Canada Day and Labour Day, in addition to the two week season in summer and fall. This was an increase of 14 days from 2015 to 2016. Recreational fishers were permitted a maximum catch of five fish per day or person, or 15 fish per boat per trip when three of more people were fishing together.

The full assessment in March 2016 provided three-year science advice from the period March 2016 to March 2019.The purpose of this Science Response Report is to update stock status and compare resource status based on data obtained in 2016 with projections from last year’s NCAM results.

This Science Response Report results from the Science Response Process of March 22, 2017 on the Northern Cod (Divs. 2J3KL) Stock Update. The meeting reviewed information from:

1. the DFO autumn research vessel (RV) survey (specifically: indices of abundance and biomass);
2. the inshore sentinel catch rate index; and
3. fishery exploitation rates based on tagging.

Complete document (PDF, 300 KB)

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