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 […]
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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 […]
Existing Atlantic Sharing Arrangement not only represents historical attachment to Unit 1 Redfish, but it encouraged big investments
(Article first appeared as Commentary in Navigator Magazine) In order to properly manage any fishery, you must be able to assess how many fish there are and how many fish can be removed sustainably. You must also have the ability to measure the impact of those removals and adjust accordingly. Although the assessment part is […]
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 […]
Despite Punching Above its Weight, Canada’s Fish and Seafood Sector has an Opportunity for Growth in Canada’s Blue Economy Strategy
(Article first appeared as Guest Column in the Navigator Magazine) Over the last six months, the fishing industry has been seized by the announcement and supporting consultation on the development of Canada’s Blue Economy Strategy. Roundtables have been held, papers have been produced, and the seafood sector enthusiastically participated, providing the Minister with their perspectives […]
Atlantic Groundfish Council’s reaction to Canada-France consensus to reduce south coast cod TAC by 50%
On April 1st, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced that an agreement in principle had been reached with France to reduce the south coast (3Ps) cod quota by 50% from last year, meaning a total allowable catch (TAC) of 1,346 mt. Council members are relieved that a closure of the fishery was avoided, although this […]
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 […]