Aging fleet, broken parts force DFO to cancel northern cod stock assessment

As the 30th anniversary of the cod moratorium approaches, the Department of Fisheries and Oceanssays it can't complete research on northern cod stocks because of broken parts on an aging vessel.

Mechanical issues on a coast guard survey shiphas forced DFO to cancel the assessment of Newfoundland and Labrador's northern cod stock for this year.

The department said it had to make changes to data collection in 2021dueto offshore weather and the condition of its researchvessels.

DFO division manager Brian Healey said one of thetwosurvey vessels normally used the CCGS Alfred Needler was out of service during surveying.

"As a result of that, we don't have the full area for northern cod covered. And without having that survey data, we are not able to provide scientific advice in the same way," Healey said.

In a followup email, DFO said the main problem is "the main fishing trawl winch clutch failed and parts could not be repaired, sourced, installed and tested in time to contribute to the fall survey."

The situation is also affecting research on theprovince's capelin stock, which will see an update this year rather than a full assessment.

The department says it is confident it can still make an informed decision on quotasbecause the northern cod stockis regularly assessed.

"The loss of a data point is a major problem," Healey said. "But we have many years of data.

"The population seems to have been steady since about 2017 based on last year's results, and even with the forecast model last year projected stability into 2022 as well."

Keith Sullivan, president of the Fish, Food & Allied Workers union, said the cancellation of this year'sassessment is a disappointment.

"It's certainly not good enough," Sullivan said. "Government talks about the importance of science, and this is a fundamental survey for so many species. It has to be prioritized. We have to make sure we're prepared and have all the capabilities to do it."

The department's media release says a mitigation plan is in place to help deal with the change.

In the meantime, Sullivan hopes any plan will include input from fishermen andharvesters, who he says could likely fill in the data gaps given what they've seen on the water.

"Harvesters have seen good things in recent years with cod and capelin, and we're really expecting increased opportunities with those species this year. Now we're left without harvesters having any input on the science going forward this year," he said.

"I think we're at a pivotal time in that [cod] fishery now, and that's why we were really hoping that this would be a year where we would get a full assessment and hopefully turn the corner."

Healey said both ships should be ready for the next survey windowbut will face delays in the spring that will have a slight impact onthe work.

The department is also working to integrate two new ships into the available group of surveyors, which Healey saidare experiencing "growing pains" as they begin work.

Read more from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador