During their annual meeting in Vigo Spain past this week NAFO has declared that the status of cod on the southern Grand Banks remains severely depleted despite 14 years under fishing moratorium. It is said in the meeting that there still lacks a sense of urgency to halt levels of bycatch that threaten the recovery of this stock. NAFO adopted a southern Grand Banks cod recovery strategy last year to reduce bycatch of cod by 40 percent.
Now this year NAFO has decided that it will lead to increases in cod bycatch in 2009 without knowing whether this target was met. Of most concern were decisions to increase the yellowtail flounder catch limit, and maintain the thorny skate limit well above scientific recommendations. These decisions have the potential to directly impact cod in 2009. It is true that NAFO has taken some important steps towards the protection of vulnerable habitats, such as coldwater coral forests.
Dr Robert Rangeley, Vice President Atlantic, WWF-Canada, revealed that the decisions affecting cod bycatch are not consistent with NAFO’s commitments to the precautionary and ecosystem management. He added that it is necessary for NAFO and member countries to immediately implement more stringent measures to reduce cod bycatch in their fleets. Continuing with the status quo will surely wipe out the promising 2005 year class and the best opportunity for the recovery of this stock.
