The Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture welcomes the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ (DFO) announcement of an overall increase in the total allowable catch (TAC) for snow crab for 2021, however the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador also anticipates a spring cod fishery, and remains firm on its stance for the continuation of a sustainable harvest in area 3Ps.

Based on scientific evidence, the 2021 snow crab fishery will have a TAC of 38,186 tonnes, representing an overall increase of approximately 29 per cent from 2020. The most significant increase in quota will be for area 3Ps, at 53 per cent. In 2020, the Newfoundland and Labrador snow crab fishery was valued at $223 million to the provincial economy.

DFO is considering closing the cod fishery in area 3Ps based on information from a new assessment model introduced in 2019, which determined the stock to be below the required biomass for a full commercial fishery. Due to limitations caused by COVID-19, there was no survey conducted in 2020, and the new assessment model is sensitive to this missed data, which affects its validity and reliability. Newfoundland and Labrador fishing industry stakeholders are confident that there can still be a sustainable 2021 commercial cod fishery in this area based on the 55 per cent catch reduction made in 2020. Cod in the 3Ps region is a trans-boundary stock managed between Canada and France.

A possible closure of the 3Ps cod fishery will impact hundreds of inshore harvesters and plant workers, of which upwards of 200 individuals are employed at the Icewater Seafoods in Arnold’s Cove.

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“The snow crab and cod fisheries are important to the Newfoundland and Labrador economy. While I welcome the increase in catch for the snow crab fishery, I stand firm in my statement to Minister Jordan that a closure of the 3Ps cod fishery is premature, and in-depth review of the new assessment model and further study into factors, such as seal predation are warranted before any further consideration is given to such a closure.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture

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Integrated Fisheries Management Plan for Snow Crab in Newfoundland and Labrador Region

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Media contact
Craig Renouf
Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
709-637-2923, 640-6922
craigrenouf@gov.nl.ca