Newly reinstated Newfoundland cod fishery temporarily paused as landings hit limit

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — The federal government has temporarily paused parts of the newly reinstated commercial northern cod fishery off the east coast of Newfoundland as landings approach the seasonal limit.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada says that as of Monday evening, fishers from the east coast of the island cannot fish cod until Sept. 15, when the second half of the season is set to begin.

The first half of the season was set to end on Sept. 14, but officials say fishers have almost caught the maximum amount of fish allowed during that period.

Labrador fishers will be confined to the region’s southeast coast until Sept. 15.

The department announced in June it would reopen the fishery, 32 years after it imposed a moratorium on cod fishing that put tens of thousands of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians out of work and triggered an exodus of young people from the province’s outport towns.

In a news release, the union representing about 12,000 fishers and plant workers in the province says the halt will put people out of work.

“With a closure taking place today, many harvesters found themselves with just a few days of fishing this season,” the release from the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 26, 2024.

The Canadian Press