Canadian Fisheries and Oceans Minister Geoff Regan is giving serious thought to reopening the Newfoundland west coast cod fishery – a move that fishermen have been urging for some time.
In early March, Regan asked the Fisheries Resource Conservation Council for advice on Atlantic cod stocks in the Gulf of St. Lawrence for this season.
According to Department of Fisheries and Oceans spokesman Steve Outhouse, Regan has asked for the information by April 22. “A decision should be made shortly thereafter,” he added.
Earle McCurdy, president of the Fish, Food and Allied Workers in Newfoundland, said he met with Regan “and strongly recommended reopening of west coast and northern cod fisheries. We believe it was a mistake to close them.”
He added, “The Minister indicated flexibility on the Gulf stock but said the best he could see on the northern cod was some kind of a bycatch fishery.”
McCurdy said, “The small inshore fishery we had been conducting involved minimal removals from the stock while providing valuable information. The impact of the closure last year was very damaging to families and communities; a longer-term closure would be devastating.”
“It will be important for an independent body such as the FRCC to consider the views of the fishing industry and the scientific analysis,” Regan said.
“In addition to providing its advice on conservation measures, including total allowable catches (TACs),” he continued, the FRCC has been asked to present its views on whether a significant change has occurred in stock status since its last report and what the potential is for stock growth and recovery. The FRCC will also explore how shared stewardship and accountability might best be fostered in order to develop a risk-managed approach to managing these stocks. The council will consider uncertainties regarding some scientific assessments and impediments to recovery when forming their recommendations.”
Regan added, “Cod recovery teams have been formed with the provinces to develop and implement a long-term plan for cod stock rebuilding, however, it was not intended that this work would be completed prior to the 2004-05 fishing season.”
In a related development, Regan and Minister of Defense David Pratt announced early in March the establishment of a joint DFO and Navy patrol of the Nose and Tail of the Grand Banks.
“I was very pleased to see concrete examples of how our two departments are working so closely together, using the latest in technologies, to increase the security and safety of Canadians along our coastlines and waterways,” Regan said. “This accurate information sharing on increased or suspicious vessel traffic means the two departments can more effectively target their fisheries and security patrols to where they are needed most.”
McCurdy welcomed the announcement. “Increased enforcement is clearly necessary. It really rubs people the wrong way in this province that our fisheries are so tightly restricted while foreign violations continue.”