FFAW Calls for Reestablishment of Northern Cod Stewardship Fishery

On the 32nd Anniversary of the historic Northern cod moratorium, fish harvesters in the province are calling for an immediate return of the Northern Cod Stewardship Fishery, following an announcement from the federal government earlier this week that they plan to return the species to commercial status and allow offshore draggers to access the stock.

The Union is demanding the government return to a stewardship fishery, reaffirm the commitment to ban offshore draggers until 115,000mt, and re-implement all 2023 fishery rules.

Harvesters say the stewardship fishery should remain in place until the 115,000mt threshold is met, and at which time the offshore dragger group could be permitted access to the fishery.