The most recent evaluation of Atlantic cod populations in the Bay of Fundy and the Scotian Shelf reveals ongoing challenges that have persisted for decades.
An analysis conducted in April, based on data from 2024-25, highlighted the lowest count of juvenile fish on record and elevated mortality rates.
Irene Andrushchenko, a scientist at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the primary investigator for the review, expressed concerns about the situation, stating that the outlook for the species in these regions is unfavorable.
Andrushchenko remarked that the decline of the population has been concerning since around 2008, remaining in what is termed the critical zone without improvement.
The specific reasons behind the diminishing numbers of Atlantic cod remain unclear to researchers, with possibilities including predation and fluctuations in water temperatures.
The assessment also pointed out a reduction in the average age of the fish, indicating a lack of older specimens in bycatch or survey data since the 1990s.
Atlantic cod fishing is limited to bycatch only, where the species is unintentionally caught during fishing for other targeted fish. A total allowable catch of 660 metric tonnes is set for cod to address bycatch concerns, with 466 metric tonnes caught in the 2024-25 management period.
Katie Schleit, the fisheries director at Oceans North, an organization in Ottawa focused on marine conservation and involved in the assessment, acknowledged the generally positive response from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans regarding management strategies.
Despite this, Schleit emphasized the challenges of restoring populations that have collapsed, even in the absence of fishing pressure. Weakened fish populations are more susceptible to further declines, according to Schleit.
She likened the situation to a sick individual facing additional illnesses, leading to exacerbated health issues compared to someone in good health, illustrating the vulnerability of cod populations.
Schleit noted that while cod populations are managed on a regional basis, the overall trend across different areas is troubling.
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According to Schleit, favorable environmental conditions are often required to facilitate the recovery of these fish stocks
