FFAW questions timing of DFO Survey

Last week the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Science Department held the technical briefing for the 2J3KL Northern Cod stock.

Fish harvesters are questioning the accuracy of DFO’s survey this year given that extremely high catch rates do not line up with DFO’s assessment.

“DFO completed their survey a month earlier than usual in 2J and 3K, and we believe this impacted the accuracy of the information collected. Harvesters report extremely high catch rates, very low net soak times, and big, healthy fish. Fishing mortality remains very low, and this is all good news for the stock and our fishery,” says FFAW-Unifor President Greg Pretty.

Because the survey was earlier in both 2J and 3K, the FFAW believes the assessment underestimates the health of the stock.