Atlantic cod. (Photo: Robert Basilli)

Can NL cod industry be reopened in Newfoundland and Labrador?

CANADA
Saturday, June 24, 2017, 02:40 (GMT + 9)

Cod is returning to Newfoundland and Labrador's coasts after the fishery collapse 25 years ago forced the capture ban in these waters. But this good news causes concerns over the likelihood that the harmed fishing industry will be able to take advantage of the resurgence of the resource.

Representatives of the sector argue that there have been a lot of changes in the area since the cod fishery was shut down, in particular the 14 per cent loss of the Atlantic province population, BBC reported.

Given the cod industry closure, many fishermen turn to crab and shellfish but now those stocks are also showing signs of stress.

The quota cut of these species capture in April led to demonstration of angry fishermen who forced their way into the headquarters of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).

The DFO has begun to loosen the moratorium by extending the length of the cod fishing season and doubling the weekly catch limits in most regions under a "stewardship fishery" programme.

However, Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW) President Keith Sullivan calls the current levels set by DFO "really, really conservative".

The union is asking DFO to further expand the cod fishery to make up for the squeeze fishermen are feeling over cuts to crab and shrimp quotas.

Sullivan sees an opportunity to create an international market for Canadian northern cod, and rebuild the fishery infrastructure.

"People understand it's got to be done sustainably, but they can also see that this is something that's going to bring value back to communities, hopefully for years to come," he says.

For his part, Tony Blanchard, the resource management director for DFO in the region, said "caution" is the current approach and announced the government will start making annual assessments of the stock in 2018.

Meanwhile, in a bid to take on the FFAW, a splinter union - the Federation of Independent Sea Harvesters of Newfoundland and Labrador - is intended to be launched as it is believed that the independent, small boat operators need their own representation.

Several stakeholders have warned that many coastal fishermen are now in their 60s, with few young people willing to take a risk in an industry that's been struggling for decades, or pay the upfront costs of training, licensing and buying a vessel.

They also believe the inshore fishery is facing an unprecedented crisis in many ways worse than the cod collapse.

Memorial University's Noel Cadigan says cod stocks are still fragile. Together with his colleagues say a better management plan - one that includes a timeline for recovery and defined targets along the way - is necessary.

Related article: 

- Cod an option in face of looming shrimp cuts, says FFAW
 
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