(April 3, 2025 – St. John’s, NL) – Today, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) held a technical briefing on the 2025 science assessment for the 2J3KL Northern cod stock off the northeast coast of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). The 2025 numbers confirm that Northern cod now has the second largest Spawning Stock Biomass (SSB) of any cod stock in the world, larger than Icelandic cod and less than about 30,000 tonnes (t) smaller than the Barents Sea.
“The science assessment was peer-reviewed last week and 2025 marks the second consecutive year of an improvement in the stock status of this iconic resource,” remarked Vanessa Byrne, Director of Fisheries Management and Science with the Atlantic Groundfish Council, the industry association that represents offshore groundfish harvesters in Atlantic Canada.
At last year’s assessment, the SSB, which is the total weight of a fish population that is mature and capable of reproducing, was believed to be approximately 324,000t and we now understand that this was likely underestimated This year it is estimated to be 524,000t. This SSB is the second largest in the world for cod and places the Northern cod SSB at double the Limit Reference Point (LRP). The LRP is the line between the Critical Zone and the Cautious Zone.
“This year’s SSB is approximately 60% above what DFO Science presented last year , a clear sign that reopening the Northern cod fishery last year was absolutely the right decision,” says Martin Sullivan, CEO of Ocean Choice International. “A stock at double the LRP puts us on the verge of applying for Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) sustainability certification and sends a powerful message to industry and customers worldwide—the future of Northern cod is bright! This is a great day for the fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
This science assessment follows the first year since the re-opening of the commercial Northern cod fishery since the 1992 moratorium whereby the Canadian offshore sector has been permitted to fish. It was an exciting winter for crew aboard the MV Calvert and MV Katsheshuk II, two Ocean Choice groundfish vessels, who participated in the first landings of offshore Northern cod in a generation. The more optimistic science assessment this year better aligns with what the crew saw on the water, and what inshore harvesters have been observing for the last number of years.
“Northern cod holds a special significance throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. This is one of those moments I really wish I could pick up the phone and call my father. I’d like to tell him that it’s actually happening, that Northern cod is doing really well,” explains Ocean Choice International President, Blaine Sullivan, whose family has been harvesting cod for generations. “This is a substantial stock, and as long as we continue to fish responsibly and have science-based fishery management decisions, it can benefit many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians for many years to come.”
Icewater Seafoods is the only plant in North America focused on the production of North Atlantic cod. The return to a commercial fishery means the year-round cod plant in Arnold’s Cove will produce 100% NL cod in 2025. Even at only 6% of the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) last year, the offshore allocation of Northern cod means 12 extra weeks of work and $5M in additional wages for Icewater Seafoods’ 250 employees; a well-earned reward for the hundreds of employees who have maintained their focus and expertise on cod despite the decades long moratorium.
“We are hearing from customers around the world who are encouraged by the stability of the stock, and the potential for it to be a critical part of their cod supply well into the future,” Wareham added. There are many people who never lost hope that Northern cod could recover, including our team in Arnold’s Cove.”
Since the 32-year moratorium ended last year, the federal government has taken a cautious approach to increasing annual fishing limits. “Northern cod’s exploitation rate remains well below other cod stocks around the world, demonstrating Canada’s commitment to a cautious approach, and space for an increased catch in the 2025-2026 season,” remarked Derrick Dalley, CEO of Ueushuk Fisheries, owner of Harbour Grace Shrimp Company.
Following last week’s science assessment and today’s technical briefing, AGC and its members are preparing for DFO’s Northern Cod Advisory meeting next week. At those advisory meetings, industry stakeholders will make their recommendations for management measures for the fishery.
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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.
Northern Cod Fishery Improvement Project
The Atlantic Groundfish Council and its members have demonstrated a deep commitment to the recovery of the Northern cod stock by leading a Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) with the Association of Seafood Producers. Customers in the UK, US, and France also financially contribute to the FIP. The FIP is filling knowledge gaps identified collectively by industry, academia and government and includes a multi-million dollar world class acoustic tracking project that will help define the migration patterns of Northern cod, necessary for good management.
About Icewater Seafoods
Icewater Seafoods is North America’s only plant focused solely on North Atlantic cod. Despite many challenges, the local company has continued to keep Newfoundland and Labrador cod in premium global markets for decades. The Arnold’s Cove operations has invested $14 million in recent years to ensure its processing technology remains among the best in the world, allowing the 70,000 square-foot plant and its people to continue to focus on producing a high-quality cod. The plaint operates nearly, year-round, creating important economic benefits to the rural region.
About Ocean Choice International
Ocean Choice International is a family-owned seafood company headquartered in Newfoundland and Labrador. Since its founding in 2000, the company has expanded into a vertically integrated operation that responsibly harvests, processes, and markets a wide variety of seafood. With four fish processing facilities and three offshore factory freezer vessels, Ocean Choice is dedicated to the sustainable growth of the fishery. The company employs over 1,400 people across more than 300 communities in Newfoundland and Labrador and works closely with over 1,600 independent fish harvesters throughout the province.
About Harbour Grace Shrimp Company / Ueushuk Fisheries
Harbour Grace Shrimp Company is owned by Ueushuk Fisheries Ltd., a Labrador Innu owned fishing company. The company was established in 2005 and is active in the midshore and offshore fishing industry.