Cod fishery in Newfoundland is facing critical situation due to its decline for decades. But still there is no sign to hear scientific advises on its conservation. There were too many parties, and too many politicians, with vested interests in ignoring science, or playing it down, or claiming that the results were biased. They are still around, and vocal. Scientists from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans are providing the data on which the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada makes recommendations to the federal government.
The committee has recommended that Atlantic cod be designated an endangered species. But again no one pays heed to that and thus discrediting the recommendation of the scientists. Fishermen are irate. The provincial Fisheries Minister says stocks are improving, thereby justifying the existing levels of fishing.
In the last report of the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat on northern cod, the scientists found a small improvement in stock levels, but it said that “the stock has not increased across much of its historical range and overall remains far below historical biomass levels.”
A DFO report on the southern gulf cod found stocks at their lowest levels in 60 years. The replacement rate of cod is far less than half of what would be required just to maintain the stock at existing levels. Minister Gail Shea hears the advice from the department’s scientists and then disregards or plays down the advice in deference to the howls coming from the fishing interests, the provincial government and Newfoundland MPs. Long-term stock recovery gives way almost every time to short-term job and profit considerations.
