Cod quotas slashed

Fishermen on the southwest coast say cutting the gulf cod quota is a knee-jerk reaction that doesn't address the root of the problem. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) announced on June 2 that the total allowable catch for Northern Gulf of St. Lawrence cod in 4RS3Pn would be reduced to 4,000 tonnes from last year's 7,000 tonnes.

Department officials cited serious concerns about the health of cod stocks in the area.

"I saw it coming," said Roger Fowlow, who fishes out of Codroy. "I knew there would be a cut but I didn't think it would be that drastic."

Last year, DFO extended the cod season into December because the total allowable catch had not been caught. There were 2,322 tonnes left of the quota when the season finally closed.

Mr. Fowlow admitted catch rates were down last year, which is why he expected the cuts. However, he said catch rates are based on weight of the catch, rather than the number of fish caught, which can be misleading.

He found the numbers of fish were still good last year, but the size was down from previous summers.

Five years ago, fishers were regularly hauling in six-pound cod. Last year most fish were only a pound or two, according to Mr. Fowlow.

I was getting stuff on the gear that wasn't big enough to sell, he said. Business

The cut will be felt especially hard by fishers who rely solely on groundfish for a living.

Mr. Fowlow said he fished cod for 18 weeks last year. He thinks he will be lucky to get six or eight weeks this year. While many southwest coast fishers also harvest lobster, those with only groundfish quotas will likely see a serious drop in their earnings.

Harlan Warren of Margaree is in just such a predicament. He said his other main licence is for grey sole, and he hasn't been able to find a buyer for that species since last August.

He believes the recession has taken a heavy toll on the industry. According to Mr. Warren, the rumoured price for cod this year is said to be between 40 and 50 cents per pound.

Add to that a rumour of a 36-hour halibut season in coming weeks, and he's left wondering how he will ever turn a profit after the cost of bait, fuel and preparation.

He isn't convinced that the cod stocks are in as much danger as DFO suggests.

"All years are different. They could've been in deeper water. They chase the bait," he said.

Seals

Earle McCurdy, president of the Fish Food and Allied Workers (FFAW) believes DFO should address the grey seal population in the gulf along with reducing the quota.

"DFO talks about ecosystem management. That's a hollow slogan if they don't address the predator/prey relationship," said Mr. McCurdy in a news release.

He suggested a better approach would have been an aggressive program to reduce the grey seal population.

Mr. Fowlow said even FFAW's approach is too narrow. He believes there are several factors that have led to the downturn in stocks. Grey seals are only a small part of that decline is his mind.

"They've got to look into why we're gone back to where we are. There's four or five things that all added up," he said.

Among the problems Mr. Fowlow sees not being addressed are large seiners harvesting capelin offshore. He said capelin is a main source of food for the cod. He has noticed that capelin don't roll in on Codroy Valley beaches to spawn anymore.

Another problem he sees is how the stock migrates. DFO scientists have proven that the northern gulf stock swims north in the summer and south in the winter. Mr. Fowlow believes the stock is being depleted during the winter by ships fishing in southern 3Ps.

The FFAW and DFO both maintain there is no proof the gulf stock swims that far south.

reporter@gulfnews.ca