The impacts of the provincial grey seal population on the quality and abundance of Atlantic cod in Newfoundland and Labrador will be assessed through a project by the Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW). The Provincial Government is providing $74,258 through its Fisheries Development Fund toward this initiative, which has a total project cost of $297,258. 　Other project partners are the Institute of Biodiversity, Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Memorial University and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

"This research will provide valuable information on the effects that grey seals are having on fish stocks," said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. "It will also provide concrete information that will aid in making appropriate management decisions regarding grey seal populations in the province."

There is a need for additional research related to grey seal impacts on cod stocks on the south and west coasts of the province. It is believed that these areas are dominated by grey seals, with numbers that have been rapidly increasing in recent years.

Ever since the Atlantic cod fishery was placed under moratorium in 1992, there has been discussion of the role of increased seal populations in the decline of and lack of recovery of cod stocks. Industry stakeholders strongly believe that cod stocks will not recover if the level of consumption by harp and grey seals continues unchecked. The Federal Government maintains that cod recovery has been minimal and cod quotas remain low, despite many conservation measures taken by harvesters.

"The natural mortality for Northern gulf cod stocks has doubled in the last two years, and we see a very clear association between those numbers and the explosion of the grey seal population," said David Decker, Secretary-Treasurer of the FFAW. "This project will allow us to more accurately measure the effect of grey seals in that region and in turn help to better manage and sustain the cod resource."

This project will involve targeting samples of grey seals and will quantify information pertaining to distribution, diet and parasites carried by the mammals. It will also involve an analysis of the quality of cod fish of various sizes. The fish will be taken from different regions, at different times of the year.

"This project will give us a better understanding regarding the impact of grey seals on fisheries on the south and west coasts of the province and their impact on the recovery of cod stocks," said Minister Jackman. "This data will be very important to the future of grey seal management in the province."

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