June 30, 1998
(Fisheries and Aquaculture)

Why is nobody asking why northern cod not returning?

Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister John Efford is wondering why, six years after the moratorium on northern cod was announced, nobody is asking the question, Why is the northern cod stock showing no sign of recovery.

"The Department of Fisheries and Oceans says there is no sign of stock recovery, and has been saying that for six years. After all that time, it is incredible that we still don't know why there is no recovery. We don't know because nobody seems to be even asking the most fundamental question: Why?" he said.

"Why aren't the most basic questions being asked? Is the northern cod stock not recovering because of environmental conditions? Is it some factor in the food chain? What role do seals play in lack of recovery? Am I the only one who is asking the question?" the minister asked. "I don't hear these questions being raised by industry organizations, by harvesters, by plant workers, not even the protest groups. Everyone should be asking the questions and demanding the answers."

Mr. Efford, saying he sees no evidence that any focused effort is being made to find answers, also wonders if that is because there may be insufficient scientific research dedicated to this issue.

"Has DFO's scientific research capability been cut back to the point where there are insufficient resources to dedicate to the task? DFO, as manager of the resource, can not walk away from asking the questions and finding the answers," he said.

Mr. Efford said there is only one thing DFO can rule out as a factor in why northern cod are not recovering, and that is people. "There has been no commercial fishing for northern cod since 1991. In fact, there is not even a food fishery.

"Telling people not to fish is not enough. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians deserve to know why the cod are not returning. Unless something is done to find out why that is, nothing can be done to speed up the recovery process. Failing to find solutions is a failure to manage resources for the benefit of the people of this province," he said.

Contact: Josephine Cheeseman, Communications (709) 729-3733.

1998 06 30                   11:45 a.m.