Minister responds to FRCC report on 2J3KL cod stocks

Yvonne Jones, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture responded today to the release of the Fisheries Resource Conservation Council (FRCC) report to the federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans on the 2003/2004 conservation requirements for groundfish stocks in the 2J3KL.

"The FRCC has recommended a by-catch fishery and an index and sentinel cod fishery in 2003 only with a maximum total removal of 1,500 t, down from 5,600 t in 2002. This is a significant reduction in quota and the elimination of the index fishery will have serious consequences for the collection of valuable scientific information to be used for the rebuilding of cod stocks," said the minister. "This is inconsistent with the recommendation of the Newfoundland and Labrador All Party Committee on the 2J3KL and 3Pn4RS Cod Fisheries which called for the continuation of an index and sentinal fishery, designed to minimize the impact of the fishery on the recovery of the stock, yet provide valuable data and information to scientists."

"I know the FRCC had to struggle with the serious reduction in cod stocks as did the Newfoundland and Labrador All Party Committee. However, the FRCC did not go far enough to ensure the information available to science is complete. The index fishery contributed significantly to the scientific review of these stocks. It must be maintained.

"As a positive initiative, the FRCC has called for the formation of Coastal Fisheries Councils. These councils would have operational decision-making power. The quotas would continue to be set by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, but the fishers would decide how and when the fish were taken," said Minister Jones. "In some cases the fishers may decide not to catch the quota at all. This initiative instills a sense of stewardship and would likely be very positive for stock rebuilding plans. The fishers will have decision-making powers therefore helping to manage the resources that sustain their families and their communities."

Both the FRCC and the All Party Committee have called on the federal government to conduct ecosystem level research. To manage and rebuild a resource it is imperative science understands the role of various species in the ecosystem. It is now recognized that predation by seals is likely having an impact on stock recovery.

"Recommendations on seal exclusion zones, restricted gear types, closed areas and seasons, must all be considered for implementation. The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Robert Thibault, must consider all measures as part of a rebuilding plan," said the minister. "The All Party Committee has also asked the federal government to implement an all inclusive program for rebuilding and conserving these cod stocks. As indicated by Fred Woodman, chair of the FRCC, we have not dealt with reducing seal predation and it has had serious consequences. We need to take serious measures to deal with reduction in cod stocks and seal predation must be a priority of DFO."

Minister Jones stated, "The federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans now has the FFRC report and its recommendations and the Newfoundland and Labrador All Party Committee report and recommendations. These two documents state clearly that closure of the commercial fishery alone will not help to rebuild our cod stocks."

Media contact: Cynthia Layden-Barron, Communications, (709) 729-3733.

2003 03 27                                        12:35 p.m.