Yesterday, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) held a technical briefing on the latest science assessment for the 3Ps cod stock, located off the south coast of Newfoundland. Similar to previous years, the results of the assessment continue to show signs of stock growth, but at a slow pace. Scientific projections indicate that this growth will continue into 2026.
“Continued growth is welcome news and while I am hopeful that this growth will be sustained, only time will tell us that for certain” says Vanessa Byrne, Director of Fisheries Management and Science with the Atlantic Groundfish Council (AGC). “We are doing what we can to promote the growth of this resource, but with an already very low fishing mortality, we are at the mercy of the ecosystem.”
The 2024 assessment confirms that the ecosystem in 3Ps is undergoing significant change as ocean conditions warm, and how these changes will impact the growth of 3Ps cod is challenging to foresee. “What we do know” says Vanessa “is that the growth seen this year is around what we were expecting based on last year’s assessment.”
In March of 2024, DFO approved the Rebuilding Plan for Atlantic Cod in 3Ps that sets out objectives and targets for rebuilding 3Ps cod out of the Critical Zone. The AGC contributed to the development of this plan, as they do with many other initiatives that play an important role in the sustainability of groundfish resources in Atlantic Canada.
The AGC also continues to coordinate a 3Ps Cod Fishery Improvement Project that is supported by the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, a global non-profit that operates in part to rebuild depleted fish stocks.
For the last number of years, 3Ps cod has – appropriately – been a low-level fishery while the stock is in the Critical Zone. The offshore sector’s share of the TAC is just 12%, which was approximately 160 tonnes in 2023/2024. The sector is subject to a suite of management measures to ensure the fishery is conducted sustainably, including at-sea-observer and dockside monitoring requirements, gear and fish size restrictions, as well as a spawning closure from March-May.
“This is an important fishery for members of the AGC and to rural communities” says Sylvie Lapointe, President of the AGC. “Although the offshore sector’s share of the TAC is only 12%, that share directly secures hundreds of local jobs, indirectly benefits hundreds more, and contributes to year-round cod supply to vital European markets.”
Contrary to misinformation that has been circulated by the FFAW, the offshore 3Ps fishery takes place between November and February, outside of the spawning season. This has been scientifically confirmed in DFO’s stock assessment that identifies the spawning season running from late March to early June. Furthermore, reference to concerns about fishing ‘pre-spawning aggregations’ is not based on sound science – modern fisheries management is instead focused on managing total removal levels.
Icewater Seafoods President and CEO, Alberto Wareham, is thinking long-term when it comes to the growth of 3Ps cod. “This fishery, at its very low level continues to help us provide jobs for our 250 local employees that work nearly year-round here in Arnold’s Cove, NL. We are purchasing 3Ps cod from local harvesters and understand its importance to their livelihoods,” added Wareham. “We continue to focus on quality over quantity to produce high-quality cod for premium market customers with high sustainability standards.”
“The south coast 3Ps cod fishery is an important fishery for us as a directed fishery and as bycatch in other groundfish fisheries,” says Blaine Sullivan, President of Ocean Choice International, whose family has been harvesting cod for generations. “While this stock is primarily harvested by inshore harvesters, offshore harvesters are participants in this fishery, providing valuable employment on offshore vessels and in land-based processing plants. We remain optimistic that by continuing to keep harvest at responsible levels, there is a positive future for this cod stock in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
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About the Atlantic Groundfish Council
The Atlantic Groundfish Council is a non-profit industry association representing year-round groundfish harvesters in Atlantic Canada. Its members employ thousands of people, mostly in year-round jobs in rural communities throughout Atlantic Canada. The Council contributes to research that will improve the sustainability and management of groundfish fisheries by actively supporting science, sustainability certifications and responsible management.
Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Areas
