Today, the Honourable Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries, announced the 2025-2026 decision for the iconic Northern cod stock. Referred to as 2J 3KL cod, the stock is located off the northeast coast of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). Northern cod is now the second largest cod stock by Spawning Stock Biomass (SSB) in the world and the only one of the top three that is growing.
Minister Thompson has set a total allowable catch (TAC) for the commercial fishery at 38,000 tonnes (t) for the year ahead, up from 18,000t when the commercial fishery reopened last year after a 32-year moratorium.
The Atlantic Groundfish Council is pleased to see a substantial increase in TAC, and recognition of the importance of local offshore harvesters in a sustainable and globally competitive cod fishery. Local offshore crew look forward to another successful fishery this year and hope that it will help instil greater confidence and comfort for future decisions.
The 2025 science update showed that a considerably higher TAC than the one selected by the Minister can be supported by the stock. Based on scientific evidence and sustainable harvesting rates of global cod stocks, the AGC had recommended a TAC of 49,000t, which still would have meant a harvest level that is much more conservative than DFO’s own Precautionary Approach calls for.
The landed value and economic realities of cod require a balanced fishery, one where smaller boats harvest in the summer and fall, with offshore vessels harvesting during the winter months. This model allows 100% Canadian cod to be sold into premium markets that demand a year-round supply. Stronger market positioning and share means higher prices for inshore harvesters, and the increased offshore allocation would increase the number of year-round jobs on Ocean Choice’s vessels and in Icewater Seafoods’ plant in Arnold’s Cove. For these reasons, AGC is confident a larger increase to the offshore sector would have better optimized the value and fairness of the fishery for this year.
The Canadian offshore sector for Northern cod is fully Newfoundland and Labrador owned and operated, consisting of both family-owned businesses with historic participation in the fishery, and indigenous-owned businesses who invested to join the local offshore sector.
The announcement comes at an opportune time when Canadian cod is the beneficiary of a unique set of circumstances in terms of science, markets, and local prices. Specifically, the 2025 science update signals a strong stock, confirming government made the right decision to reopen the fishery in 2024. Meanwhile other global cod stocks are experiencing decline, leaving premium markets looking to Canadian cod to fill gaps in supply- a unique opportunity for Canada to increase its market share and benefit the fishery for years to come. Locally, prices for inshore harvesters are at a generational-high, up 12% after just one year of a year-round fishery and Ocean Choice has two state-of-the-art offshore groundfish vessels with local crew who just successfully harvested offshore Canadian cod for the first time in a generation.
All of this is happening at a time when the Government of Canada is emphasizing its commitment to an economic agenda and strengthening trade relationships with countries like the UK and France. The ability to grow in these markets is instant as Icewater Seafoods in Arnold’s Cove, NL – the only processing plant in North American focused solely on North Atlantic cod – has preserved processing expertise and relationships with premium customers in the UK and France throughout the challenging decades of the moratorium.
Quotes:
As a province and an industry, we should pause and recognize the monumental significance of what is happening with Northern cod. The fishery is known around the world for its collapse a generation ago. Now it has had a successful first year as a reopened commercial fishery and the stock is easily strong enough to support a considerable increase in catch in year two. It truly is a remarkable accomplishment and a promising step toward a vibrant and sustainable future for Northern cod.
- Sylvie Lapointe, President, Atlantic Groundfish Council
The global cod supply is shrinking and customers in premium, year-round markets are looking for Canadian cod to fill those supply gaps. For years we have grappled with keeping Canadian cod in global markets. This year presents a rare opportunity to notably increase our market share, returning further benefits to the people and communities that fuel this fishery. That includes local offshore and inshore harvesters, plant workers here in Arnold’s Cove and the broader service and supply sector that supports fishery operations.
- Alberto Wareham, President and CEO of Icewater Seafoods.
We are pleased to see an increase; however, we would have liked to see the decision more in line with what we proposed – a higher TAC and a greater share for offshore harvesters more consistent with historical landings. We respect the government’s commitment to be extremely cautious with this stock, but we do need to balance an ultra-conservative approach against lost economic value.
- Martin Sullivan, CEO, of Ocean Choice International
There are 200 local harvesters on our groundfish vessels who were extremely proud to harvested offshore Canadian cod this year for the first time in a generation. Some had fished before the moratorium and others who only heard the stories from their parents and grandparents. They are harvesters too. I know they will be pleased to know their livelihoods are considered in the Minister’s decision but had hoped their increase would be higher.”
- Blaine Sullivan, President, Ocean Choice International
“A balanced fishery with the inshore and offshore fishing has created year-round opportunities that brought benefits back to our communities. The Innu, along with other Indigenous groups, look forward to continued growth of the Northern cod fishery.”
- Derrick Dalley, CEO of Ueushuk Fisheries, owner of Harbour Grace Shrimp Company.
-30-
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.
AGC and its members have been investing and collaborating with international customers, science, and academia for many years to support the return to a sustainable Northern cod fishery.”
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.
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.