A Canadian fisheries workers trade union is protesting that their government is not answering to hopeful signs of recovery for the earlier collapsed cod stock off Labrador and Newfoundland.
The cod stocks off Eastern Canada and Northeastern USA, formerly some of the world’s biggest, collapsed in the early 1990’s and showed few signs of recovery for many years, despite a moratorium implemented in 1992.
In recent years, however, the writing on the wall has been more positive: the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ (DFO) fall survey for cod in the 2J3KL area (see map) has consistently shown relevant increases in spawning stock biomass over the past five years. In 2005, the survey showed 15,000 tonnes. As of last year, in 2008, that same survey showed 113,000 tonnes.
Meanwhile, referring to precautionary measures, the DFO has allowed only slightly increased catch quotas. In 2006, the quota was for 2J3KL set at 3,000 pounds. This year’s allocation of 3,750 pounds represents a quota increase of 25 per cent since 2005, as compared to the 653 per cent increase in biomass over that same timeframe, complains the Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW/CAW).
“Harvesters across the province fully understand the importance of science and being good stewards of fish resources, so it seems strange to us that DFO doesn’t appear to have the same understanding”, said FFAW Secretary-Treasurer David Decker.
“If they did have the same understanding, they wouldn’t be dismissing the science numbers on cod on the northeast coast of Newfoundland when making decisions about quota allocations”.