NL-Outsidethebox [confederation]

http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/cod-morue/nl_e.pdf

6.2.5.2 Recommended Approach
4. It is recommended that the moratorium which has been in place on the 2GH cod
stock since 1996 be maintained.
5. It is recommended that the moratorium which has been in place on the offshore
component of the 2J3KL cod stock since 1992 be maintained.
6. It is recommended that the moratorium which has been in place on the inshore
component of the 2J3KL cod stock since 2003 be continued subject to:
- the development of a formal process by which government and industry can
evaluate the issues, considerations and risks associated with the re-opening of a
small-scale fishery on this stock; and
- this process being developed and implemented on a priority basis.
In determining if a small scale fishery can or should occur on the inshore component of the
2J3KL cod stock, several key scientific issues will have to be further evaluated including the
potential impact such a fishery might have on the recovery of the offshore component and
the impact such a fishery could have on the growth, distribution and sustainability of the
inshore component.
There is a strong possibility that cod currently in offshore 2J3KL undergo spring/summer
feeding migrations to the inshore. At current offshore population levels, any offshore fish
exploited in an inshore fishery may further impede recovery in the offshore. Furthermore,
many of the fish historically caught in the inshore were immature, so inshore removals may
capture some offshore fish before they have a chance to spawn.
The potential for cod currently in the inshore to repopulate the offshore of 2J3KL also
remains uncertain. Genetic studies using microsatellites have demonstrated a population
substructure between most inshore and offshore areas. It has been suggested that the
presence of this substructure indicates that inshore-spawning cod have existed for a
considerable time, have distinct inshore migration and behavioral patterns and are not
likely to change these patterns and move into the offshore area. Nevertheless, it is known
that fish can expand their ranges, especially when their density is high. Allowing the
inshore biomass to grow may increase the likelihood that some inshore-spawning cod
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will move to the offshore, start spawning there and thereby contribute to offshore
recovery.
The risk of an inshore fishery affecting rebuilding of the offshore component of 2J3KL is
currently the subject of much debate. Many fish harvesters believe that such a fishery will
have little impact on the offshore component of this stock. Other harvesters have concerns
that any inshore harvest will have a negative impact on the offshore component. However,
an inshore fishery will have an impact on the rate of growth and perhaps the geographic
distribution of the inshore component. A fishery in the southern portion of 2J3KL (southern
3L) may also have an impact on the adjacent cod stock in 3Ps. The trade-offs and
associated risks that a small scale fishery will have on the recovery, growth and
sustainability of the inshore component of 2J3KL cod stock require further consideration
and evaluation.
Several fisheries management issues also require further evaluation prior to deciding
whether to re-open an index fishery on the inshore component of the 2J3KL cod stock. The
more important of these include whether such a fishery would be re-opened over the entire
geographic area or managed on a smaller sub-component basis, if the fishery should include
both commercial and recreational participants, what by-catch levels may be allowable in
fisheries directed at other species and how all sources of fishing mortality can be effectively
monitored and controlled.