Northern Cod Science and Fisheries Stewardship Initiative

June, 2006

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This stewardship initiative in Divisions 2J3KL represents an opportunity for the department and industry to narrow the gap surrounding the status and management of the 2J3KL cod stock and provides an opportunity for all stakeholders to develop a more inclusive shared stewardship management approach.

The Northern Cod Science and Fisheries Stewardship Initiative consists of five components that will enhance the understanding of the 2J3KL stock:

• Enhanced research which will include studies on migration and mortality, additional scientific sampling and an inshore 2J3KL cod survey;
• Collaboration with Memorial University of Newfoundland and the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture on several research projects;
• A modified management approach which includes a small scale one-year inshore fishery pilot project;
• A post-season review process and a broadly-based consultative process with fish harvesters, processors and other interested stakeholders in the 2J3KL area in the fall of 2006; and
• Fisheries stewardship allowing fish harvesters to test their perceptions about the health of the stock via “on the water” activity in 2006.

Guidelines around this fishery include:

• Under 45 foot vessels only will participate.
• Each enterprise will have an individual quota (IQ) of 3,000 lbs. round weight cod.
• Fishers will be limited to fishing in their own bay and will not be permitted to harvest their IQ in another area once their respective area has closed. Each area will have a three week season; openings and closing of the seasons will vary by area.
• The fishery will be restricted to the inshore zone defined as the 12-mile Territorial Sea of Canada.

BG-NL-06-05