Federal and provincial ministers release strategy for rebuilding Atlantic cod stocks

(Ottawa) - Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), along with his provincial counterparts from New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec today released a federal-provincial strategy for the rebuilding of Atlantic cod stocks.

"I am pleased that federal and provincial governments have been able to work so co-operatively together on a co-ordinated, multilateral approach to the rebuilding of shared cod stocks," said Minister Regan.

In 2003, three federal-provincial Cod Action Teams were established for Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec and the Maritimes (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and PEI).

The primary objective of these teams was to develop a stock rebuilding strategy for Atlantic cod stocks. Each Cod Action Team undertook consultations with a variety of stakeholders, including industry, Aboriginal communities, academics, environmental groups and local interests to develop these long-term strategies.

"Stakeholders played an important role in the development of these rebuilding strategies by providing direction on issues related to their respective stocks," said David Alward, New Brunswick Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture. "Their continued contribution will be key in the implementation phase of the strategy. In order to move forward, concerted efforts will be required by all partners."

These cod stocks remain at various stages of rebuilding. While some continue to be at very low levels compared to historic highs, others have shown some signs of rebuilding over the past number of years.

"The co-operation between the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Government of Canada on the cod recovery strategy lays the foundation for greater federal-provincial collaboration in the management of adjacent fish stocks," said Newfoundland and Labrador Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Tom Rideout. "Our government looks forward to moving ahead with the federal government on this extremely important initiative for the Newfoundland and Labrador fishery."

In delivering on their mandates, the individual cod rebuilding strategies share many common elements, including cod stock status information, examination of some of the key factors affecting rebuilding and the importance of shared stewardship, among others.

Currently, 12 aquatic species, including four Atlantic cod populations, are being considered for listing under SARA by the Government of Canada. Regardless of whether or not these stocks are listed under SARA, these federal-provincial cod rebuilding strategies will inform and assist in the development of management plans and/or recovery strategies as required.

"Cod stocks have been and are currently being affected by a number of major factors, including shifts in environmental conditions, even when fishing efforts have been minimal," said Chris d�Entremont, Nova Scotia Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. "Stock levels are low, but there is potential for recovery over time. I think these reports provide an excellent reference for us to facilitate recovery in a practical and realistic way."

The federal-provincial Cod Action Teams rebuilding strategies provide the federal and provincial governments with recommended objectives, principles and measures for ongoing collaboration. They allow governments to take a comprehensive, targeted and focused approach toward cod stock rebuilding.

"I look forward to working closely with my federal and provincial counterparts and the industry in the rebuilding of this vital resource," said Prince Edward Island Fisheries Minister Kevin MacAdam. "The success of the Prince Edward Island fishery depends on continued access to a diversified resource, the maximization of its value, and thus contributes to the goal of a sustainable cod fishery."

"Due to the importance of the cod fishery in many maritime regions of Quebec, we believe that the governments� concerted approach will help the rebuilding of stocks," said Laurent Lessard, Quebec Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. "I wish however to emphasize that the plan for rebuilding cod stocks must be conceived as a group of global actions to put in place jointly while taking into account regional differences."

These rebuilding strategies provide the necessary groundwork for efficient and effective rebuilding efforts, to ensure the conservation and sustainability of the cod fishery in Atlantic Canada for current and future generations.

"The level of teamwork and dedication shown in building this strategy underlines the economic, historical and social importance of cod stocks to Atlantic Canada and Quebec," said Minister Regan.

The following documents related to this announcement can be found on DFO�s Web site: //www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/media/infocus/2005/20051123_e.htm

Steve Outhouse, Media Relations, Fisheries and Oceans, Ottawa, (613) 998-1530

Sujata Raisinghani, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ottawa, (613) 992-3474

Tracey Hennessey, Communications, Fisheries and Oceans Canada , Newfoundland and Labrador, (709) 772-7633

Marcel Boudreau, Communications, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, (418) 648-7316

Michel Th�rien, Communications, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, (506) 851-7704

Communications Branch, DFO Maritimes Region, (902) 426-3550

Alain Bryar, Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Government of New Brunswick, (506) 444-4218

Lori Lee Oates, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, (709) 729-3733

Susan Mader Zinck, Nova Scotia Department, of Agriculture and Fisheries , (902) 424-8963, madersd@gov.ns.ca

Wayne MacKinnon, PEI Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture, (902) 366-4888

Diane Tremblay, Communications Advisor, MAPAQ-Qu�bec, (418) 368-7605, www.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca

The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador formed the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Action Team for Cod Recovery in August 2003. The team was mandated to prepare a strategy to contribute to the rebuilding and management of the major cods stocks adjacent to Newfoundland and Labrador, including 2GH, 2J3KL, 3Ps and 4RS3Pn. The mandate did not include the internationally managed cod stock in Division 3NO.

The team was a joint initiative between Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (DFA). The team also established an External Advisory Committee (EAC) consisting of representatives of the fishing industry, communities, Aboriginal interests, academia and other appropriate groups to provide advice and guidance to the team.

The Canada-NL Team represents one of three federal-provincial teams which were established to develop cod rebuilding strategies for cod stocks in Atlantic Canada and Quebec.

This is the most inclusive, extensive look at this issue since the collapse and it is recognized that issues surrounding cod are extremely complex.

A significant amount of work has already been done to help with the rebuilding of cod stocks, but many factors affecting recovery are beyond the control of governments and fishers and rest with a complex ecosystem, an unpredictable environment and other habitat factors.

It is recognized that much more work is required. This report finds that a cooperative and inclusive approach is the best way to contribute to the rebuilding and sustainable management of the stocks over the long-term.

The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador cod rebuilding initiative is not directly linked to the ongoing listing process under the Species at Risk Act being conducted on Atlantic cod by the Government of Canada. However, in developing this strategy, the team did consider the endangered/threatened species designations for Atlantic cod by COSEWIC and any requirements of the Species at Risk Act (SARA) should these stocks be listed.

There has been a tremendous amount of work already done since the collapse of the cod stocks, with all efforts aimed at helping in the recovery. Decisions by governments are not the only factors affecting the rebuilding. One of the recognitions stemming from the Action Team�s consultations is that many of the factors affecting rebuilding of the stocks are beyond human control and rest with the complex ecosystem, an unpredictable environment and other habitat factors. The following outlines some of the key action that has taken place over the last decade:

While its focus has since changed, the Fisheries Resource Conservations Council (FRCC) provided annual advice regarding Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and other conservation measures, many of which have been implemented over the years to protect fish stocks.

The report states that the lack of recovery in Atlantic cod stocks cannot be traced to a single factor, but is most likely the result of several related factors. In the report the team identified four areas that have limited the rebuilding of the cod stocks:

The team also considered factors such as seismic activities, climate change, oil and gas exploration, ocean dumping, cables and pipelines, marine and land-based pollution. Although it is recognized that these factors may play a role in cod recovery, based on current information, the overall influence on it is unknown. The team acknowledged more research is needed in some areas.

There are a series of recommendations within the report; highlights include the following:

The team also did a comprehensive review of the science research currently being done on cod and identified priority areas for continuing research.

A recommendation on whether there should be a commercial fishery in 2J3KL was not within the mandate of the team. The team did however recognize the continuing debate over this as an issue and recommended a comprehensive approach to resolve the question, including the development of a formal process to evaluate risks associated with re-opening a small-scale fishery on the inshore component of 2J3KL cod stock.

Foreign fishing activity is not a factor in the recovery of either the northern Gulf cod stock or the northern Labrador cod stock. These stocks are within Canada�s 200-mile limit. Subdivision 3Ps also lies wholly within Canadian waters. The available quota in this subdivision is shared by Canada (receives 84.4 per cent of TAC) and France (15.6 per cent of TAC).

The evidence reviewed by the team also suggests that foreign fisheries are not currently a significant factor in cod recovery. However, they recognize that this evidence is not widely accepted by the general public in Newfoundland and Labrador, particularly as it relates to foreign fishing on the Grand Banks. It is believed that the continuing low level of international catch on the Nose of the Grand Bank in Division 3L is due, in large part, to the absence of commercial quantities of cod in this area.

Ensuring that the impact of the foreign fishery on rebuilding the 2J3KL cod stock is minimized will require the continuation of the enhanced enforcement program implemented in 2004. The team recommends that Canada maintain its comprehensive strategy to combat overfishing in the NAFO Regulatory Area. The Canadian strategy to stop the global problem of overfishing has resulted in increased dedicated enforcement activities and diplomatic interventions related to non-compliance. Work has also commenced to modernize regional fisheries management organizations, including NAFO.

2005 11 23        3:55 p.m.