Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) held its annual 3Ps Groundfish Advisory Committee meeting (GAC) meeting in St. John’s, NL late last week, where stakeholders provided perspectives on management measures for the 3Ps cod stock located off the south coast of Newfoundland. Perspectives shared will help inform Canada’s position at the Canada-France Advisory Committee meeting in March where both countries will negotiate a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the 2026-2027 3Ps cod season.
The most recent science assessment for 3Ps cod was completed in November 2025. That assessment confirmed that while fishing pressure remains very low, the stock continues to face significant ecosystem challenges, including warming ocean conditions which are expected to limit rebuilding progress. The science is clear that fishing mortality is not driving current dynamics of the stock.
In a media release following the assessment, the Atlantic Groundfish Council (AGC) highlighted that unfortunately the stock is not growing as anticipated under the recently established 3Ps Cod Rebuilding Plan.
As part of the Rebuilding Plan, there is a Management Procedure (MP) in place to generate recommended harvest levels for 3Ps cod each year. Given recent changes in scientific understanding of the stock and its environment, an earlier-than-planned review of the Rebuilding Plan is warranted and is expected to begin in the near term. While the MP would suggest a 17% increase in the TAC this year, the AGC believes caution is required while that review is underway and does not support an increase at this time.
“Sustainability is a core priority for the AGC” says Vanessa Bourgeois, AGC’s Director of Fisheries Management and Science. “Modern fisheries management focuses on managing total removals, and in 3Ps, overall fishing pressure remains very low. Sometimes responsible management means choosing not to increase harvest levels.”
For the last number of years, 3Ps cod has appropriately remained 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 150 tonnes in 2025/2026. The offshore 3Ps cod fishery operates between November and February, outside of the cod spawning period, with a DFO-mandated spawning closure in place from March 1 to May 14. This timing has been reviewed and confirmed through the science assessment process.
“We remain committed to the long-term sustainability of fish stocks and continue to collaborate with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and industry partners to rebuild this stock,” said Ocean Choice VP of Sustainability and Engagement, Carey Bonnell. “When it comes to 3Ps cod, our harvesting practices are guided by science and a conservative, sustainability-focused approach, and we have consistently advocated for smaller total allowable catches to give the stock the best possible chance to rebuild and be carefully managed for the future.”
At Icewater Seafoods, Alberto Wareham, President and CEO remains committed to a long-term perspective on all cod stocks. “We prioritize sustainable harvesting, science-based fisheries management, and a quality-over-quantity approach to processing” says Mr. Wareham. He further notes that “although the offshore sector’s share of this resource is small, it supports hundreds of local jobs, indirectly benefits hundreds more, and contributes to a stable, year-round cod supply to vital global markets.”
The AGC continues to support rebuilding 3Ps cod by coordinating a 3Ps Cod Fishery Improvement Project that is listed on the FisheryProgress.org FIP portal (a global non-profit that operates in part to rebuild depleted fish stocks), and by actively participating in the development, and soon review of, the 3Ps Cod Rebuilding Plan.
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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
