- Canadian government ends the Northern cod moratorium with an 18,000-tonne TAC for the 2024 season.
- 84% of the TAC allocated to the inshore fleet sector, benefiting coastal and Indigenous communities.
- Commitment to sustainable management practices to ensure long-term prosperity of cod stocks.
The Government of Canada has announced the reopening of the Northern cod fishery, lifting a 30-year moratorium with a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of 18,000 tonnes for 2024. This significant decision aims to revitalize the fishing industry off the north and east coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador, providing economic benefits to coastal and Indigenous communities.
This move underscores a commitment to sustainable fishing practices, ensuring the long-term health of cod stocks. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada will continue the Recreational Groundfish Fishery for 39 days and plans to introduce a tagging regime for tour boat operations in 2025.
Canada’s Northern Cod Fishery Resumes After Three Decades
The historic reopening of the Northern cod fishery by the Canadian government marks a turning point for Newfoundland and Labrador’s coastal communities. With a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of 18,000 tonnes for the 2024 season, the decision aims to rejuvenate the local economy and restore a vital cultural tradition. The inshore fleet sector will benefit most from the allocation, particularly 2J-based harvesters.
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard, Diane Lebouthillier, emphasized the importance of sustainable management practices to ensure the fishery’s future. The Northern cod stock’s transition to the Cautious zone since 2016 has paved the way for this cautious yet optimistic approach. The reopening also aligns with other Canadian groundfish stocks under the Precautionary Approach Framework.
Local support has been strong, with MPs like Ken McDonald and Churence Rogers highlighting the fishery’s historical significance and potential economic impact. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada will also continue the Recreational Groundfish Fishery for 39 days and introduce a tagging regime for tour boat operations in 2025, ensuring comprehensive management of the fishery.
The cod moratorium, which began in 1992, had profound economic and social repercussions for Newfoundland and Labrador. The reopening represents a significant recovery milestone, balancing the need for economic revitalization with the necessity of preserving fish stocks for future generations.
The reopening of the Northern cod fishery marks a historic moment for Newfoundland and Labrador, promising economic revitalization and a sustainable future for the region’s iconic cod industry.
“I didn’t take the fish out of the goddamned water!” – John Crosbie, reflecting the gravity of the 1992 cod moratorium.
