Cod fishery closed in Gulf of St. Lawrence

Federal Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray has announced a closure of the cod fishery in the Gulf of St. Lawrence for a period of one year.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced that the stock is at risk of serious harm.

In a statement Minister Murray said, "this decision will give the Northern Gulf cod stock a year to build."

This decision will be re-evaluated before the 2023 season.

The FFAW is deeply disappointed in the decision.

FFAW-Unifor President Keith Sullivan said, "seal overpopulation has brought southern gulf cod to near extinction, and without prompt action by Minister Murray it looks as if Gulf Cod is headed that way too."

The FFAW says the government needs to take action to control the seal population.