‘The ecosystem in 3Ps continues to undergo structural changes and unfortunately, despite incredibly low fishing mortality levels, the south coast cod stock assessment is not showing the growth we were hoping to see this year nor the growth expected under the 3Ps Cod Rebuilding Plan,’ stated Vanessa Bourgeois, director of fisheries management and science with the Atlantic Groundfish Council, speaking at a Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) technical briefing on the latest science assessment for the 3Ps cod stock, located off the south coast of Newfoundland.
‘Besides the benefit to harvesters, plant workers, and communities, the low-level fishery continues to provide valuable information for science assessment of 3Ps cod,’ she said, commenting that the Atlantic Groundfish Council remains committed to the long-term sustainability of fish stocks and continues to collaborate with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and industry partners to rebuild this stock.
The AGC will be supporting a review of the 3Ps Cod Rebuilding Plan to ensure it reflects the current understanding of stock growth. Additionally, the AGC is continuing its efforts to promote the growth of the stock by coordinating a Fishery Improvement Project specific to 3Ps cod.
While this is a challenging period for 3Ps cod, the much larger 2J3KL cod stock off the province’s northeast coast – referred to as Northern Cod – is entering the healthy zone and a reminder that Canadian cod is doing well overall. Much credit for its reputation goes to Icewater Seafoods in Arnold’s Cove, Newfoundland. This family-owned company is the sole cod-only producer of Atlantic cod in North America, and one of only a handful worldwide approved to sell to global sustainability leader, Marks & Spencer.
‘We continue to view all cod stocks with a long-term view, supporting sustainable harvesting, sound fisheries management decisions informed by science, and a quality-over-quantity approach to processing,’ explained Alberto Wareham, president and CEO of Icewater Seafoods and the seventh generation of his family in the cod business.
‘To date, that focus has allowed us to keep 250 people employed in mostly year-round jobs, producing cod that customers around the world are eager to buy.’
For 3Ps cod specifically, this science update will be followed by a Groundfish Advisory Committee meeting in January, where industry stakeholders will further discuss the stock with DFO before Canada and France meet in March to negotiate a TAC for the 2026-2027 3Ps cod season.
