Yesterday, members of the Atlantic Groundfish Council gathered in St. John’s, NL to discuss challenges and priorities for the coming months and years. The Council membership is comprised of primarily family-owned businesses with quota shares in groundfish fisheries, and are united by a deep commitment to responsible and sustainable harvesting. “Our members are uniquely positioned […]
Iconic Northern Cod’s ‘Fishery Improvement Project’ Continues
(April 26, 2022 – Barcelona, Spain) – Stakeholders met in Barcelona yesterday to discuss the ongoing Northern Cod ‘Fishery Improvement Project’ (FIP). Stakeholders include Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP), Marks & Spencer and Youngs Seafoods from the United Kingdom, Sysco France, High Liner Foods from Canada/United States, and producer organizations in Canada, including Ocean Choice International, […]
BACKGROUNDER: Northern Cod Acoustic Tracking Project (April 2022 Update)
Research Plan In 2016, the ASP-AGC Northern Cod Acoustic Tracking (NCAT) Project was developed to identify and address gaps in our understanding of the Northern Cod complex, with the goal of improving long-term management of the stock. Six fundamental questions (determined via thorough review of available literature and in-depth input from DFO scientists) form the […]
Atlantic Groundfish Council applauds outcome of Canada/France fisheries meeting
(April 6, 2022 – St. John’s, NL) – The Atlantic Groundfish Council, which represents the offshore groundfish sector in Atlantic Canada, applauds the fisheries agreement reached by Canada and France. In particular, the two governments agreed to keep the 2022-2023 total allowable catch (TAC) for the cod fishery off the south coast of Newfoundland (area […]
Following annual science update on south coast cod, Atlantic Groundfish Council members remain focused on sustainability and rebuilding the stock
Today, 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. This briefing marks the beginning of the total allowable catch setting process for the 2022-2023 3Ps cod season. There are signs of optimism for this stock on the […]
BACKGROUNDER: Correcting Misinformation on Unit 1 Redfish
Discussions on the stability of long-standing proportionate quota shares are ones we take extremely seriously. Ad hoc decisions to destabilize those shares would have long-lasting impacts on people, communities and the future of the fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador, and Canada. We believe those discussions and debates need to be grounded in factual information and […]
As DFO releases annual science update on Northern Cod, Atlantic Groundfish Council members are focused on aiding stock recovery through world class cod acoustic tracking project
Today, the updated science assessment for the iconic Northern Cod stock (zone 2J3KL) was presented to industry and stakeholders by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. The assessment demonstrated that the stock has been holding steady since 2017 and is projecting some growth in the near future. “The projected stock growth is encouraging but also […]
Industry takes unprecedented action, withdraws from Canadian Delegation for 3Ps cod negotiations with France, citing inability to support position taken by DFO
(March 23, 2021 – St. John’s, NL) – The Atlantic Groundfish Council has taken an unprecedented step in reaction to the Government of Canada’s stated intent to implement a moratorium on directed fishing of the 3Ps cod stock. Industry participants were informed of this position just days before bilateral negotiations with France were set to […]
Atlantic Groundfish Council recommends rollover of total allowable catch for south coast cod
Today, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) held its annual Groundfish Advisory Council meeting where industry stakeholders discuss a variety of groundfish stocks, including 3Ps cod located off the south coast of Newfoundland. “The Atlantic Groundfish Council’s recommendation for the 2021-2022 3Ps cod fishery is a rollover of the 2020-2021 total allowable catch […]
Northern Cod Rebuilding Plan Emphasizes Canada’s Commitment to Recovery of Iconic Stock
On December 21, Fisheries and Oceans Canada released its rebuilding plan for the iconic Northern Cod (2J3KL) stock that resides on the Labrador Shelf and the northern Grand Banks off Newfoundland. The primary objective of this rebuilding plan is to promote stock growth out of the Critical Zone by keeping catch from all fishing sources […]