Atlantic Cod (Newfoundland and Labrador)

At A Glance

For many years, cod was considered the most important groundfish species in Atlantic Canada. Since the early 1960s, cod populations off the northeast coast of Newfoundland and Labrador have declined by more than 97 percent, and are now at historically low levels. In some offshore areas, the fish has disappeared completely. In 1992 and 1993, bans were placed on the Newfoundland and Labrador cod fishery; however, Atlantic cod populations have shown virtually no signs of recovery. Current threats to the Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic cod population include natural and fishing-induced changes to the ecosystem, and high levels of natural mortality due to predators such as other fish and seals.

About the Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic cod

Atlantic cod spawn offshore in winter and spring at depths of 300 to 400 metres where the water is warmer than the zero to -1°C temperatures found at lesser depths. The fish then gradually migrate inshore to their feeding grounds. Atlantic cod feed at dawn or dusk and eat mainly capelin, herring and other fish, including young cod, but will feed on almost anything, including sea anemones.

How to recognize Atlantic cod

Atlantic cod have elongated bodies that vary in colour from brownish to greenish to grey with small, dark spots on their backs. The cod’s pale lateral line is curved above the pectoral fins. An Atlantic cod has a single, well-developed barbel—or whisker—on its chin.

Bob Semple

Where Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic cod live

This population of Atlantic cod inhabits the inshore and offshore waters off Labrador and northeastern Newfoundland, including Grand Bank.

Why it’s at risk

The Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic cod population collapsed primarily because of overexploitation. Since a moratorium was placed on the cod fishery, numbers of Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic cod have shown virtually no signs of recovery. Scientists believe the reasons for this lack of improvement is due to natural and fishing-induced changes in the ecosystem and high levels of mortality due to natural predators such as seals and other fish.

Read About : What’s Holding Back the Cod Recovery?

What’s being done

The Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic cod is designated as endangered by COSEWIC and is under consideration for addition to the Species at Risk Act (SARA).

The Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic cod stock is closed to all directed fisheries, and bycatch limits for cod in other fisheries have been instituted. The capelin fishery has also been reduced and the recreational fishery closed. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is also combining conservation measures with scientific research to find better ways to conserve and re-build stocks. For example, an extensive study on the relationship between cod and seals has been undertaken.

Work is also underway to determine stock rebuilding objectives and to implement the recovery measures of the Federal-Provincial cod action recovery teams.

Any further restrictions would be in addition to the already significant conservation measures in place for cod throughout the Atlantic region, including:

• implementation of three Federal-Provincial cod action teams which are preparing and implementing recovery strategies for these cod populations;
• severely reduced harvest levels to historical low levels in areas where fishing is permitted;
• restrictions on the incidental catching of cod in other fisheries, including caps and the closure of other fisheries when the caps are reached;
• the mandatory requirement for conservation harvesting plans to be prepared by fishers and approved by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans before fishing is undertaken;
• the use of observers on boats at sea to ensure that the fishing rules are followed and virtually all catches are monitored when they are landed at docks.

What can you do?

Atlantic cod will get the protection they need only if all Canadians work together to reduce threats. Find out more about Atlantic cod and be aware of man-made threats. Do your best to reduce these threats wherever possible to better protect the cod’s critical habitat. Get involved with the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk (HSP) or another conservation organization.