Cod Recovery Efforts since the 2003 Closure

May, 2004

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When the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans announced the closure of the cod fisheries in 2J3KL, 3Pn4RS, and 4TVn on April 24, 2003, he outlined a comprehensive action plan for Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to implement to help the cod stocks to recover. This plan included strict conservation measures, expanded scientific research, and longer-term strategies.

Specifically, the Minister announced the creation of a pilot seal exclusion zone and no trawling zones; the closure of the recreational cod fishery in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and northeast of Newfoundland and Labrador; and a reduction of the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of capelin by 40 per cent for three years to address immediate conservation concerns. He launched a two-year, $6-million Atlantic Seal Research Program (ASRP) to evaluate and assess the impact of seals on fish stocks as part of DFO's expanded scientific research efforts. Lastly, the Minister established three Federal-Provincial cod recovery action teams with Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, and the Maritime provinces to develop longer-term strategies for the rebuilding and management of cod stocks.

Over the past year, DFO has made progress on these cod recovery efforts. For instance, significant steps have been taken within each of the ASRP components to determine seal abundance through the assessment of harp, hooded, and grey seal populations; identify what seals feed on through diet analysis; and evaluate how seal management tools, such as seal exclusion zones and reproductive control, could lead to the cod stock recovery. To date, DFO has:

• Completed the field component of grey and harp seal population surveys. A hooded seal population study is scheduled for March 2005. DFO will rely on the results of all three population assessments to develop the next multi-year seal management plan, which will begin in 2006.
• Tagged approximately 65 seals (through satellite tagging mechanism) to allow the Department's scientists to determine migratory habits and to ultimately gain a better understanding of seal-fish interaction within the marine ecosystem.
• Established a pilot seal exclusion zone in Smith Sound, Newfoundland in January 2004 for the purposes of scientific study and evaluation to determine how these zones may contribute to cod stock recovery.

The intergovernmental cod recovery action teams have also taken significant steps to meet their three objectives: to build understanding of the current status of cod stocks; to identify and evaluate current science priorities and information with respect to stock management; and to increase co-operation among governments, the fishing industry, First Nations, and other stakeholders. To date, the teams have identified the need to develop clear stock rebuilding objectives; to use an ecosystems approach; and to identify the most effective and achievable recovery measures. They have also conducted outreach to stakeholders and First Nations to prepare for their further engagement as their work proceeds. Ongoing efforts include:

• Working together on recovery measures in 3Pn4RS through a multilateral process led by the Atlantic Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers. The DFO-Newfoundland and Labrador team is also focusing on cod stocks in 2J3KL (including 2GH) and 3Ps; the DFO-Quebec team is also working on the 3Pn4RSn stock; and the DFO-Maritimes team is initially focusing on 4TVn stock.
• Examining available research and reports to consider resource recovery initiatives such as increased seal science, seal exclusion zones, the Fisheries Science Collaborative Program, and area closures.
• Considering species designations for Atlantic cod by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).

The opening of a limited low TAC fishery in 3Pn4RS and 4TVn does not signal the end to cod recovery efforts in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Through ongoing conservation measures, scientific research, and long-term initiatives, DFO will continue to work towards a sustainable fishery for the future.

B-HQ-04-43E(a)