Science Response 2020/006

Scallop Fishery Area/Time Closure to Protect Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) Spawning Aggregations in NAFO Division 5Z (Georges Bank)

Context

The need to reduce the fishing mortality experienced by Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) on the Canadian portion of Georges Bank has led to efforts by the offshore Scallop fishery to reduce Cod bycatch. Along with active avoidance protocols adopted by the offshore Scallop fleet, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has implemented area/time closures from early February to the end of March since 2005. The objectives of these closures are to reduce bycatch and minimize disturbance to spawning aggregations of Cod by the offshore Scallop fishery on Georges Bank.

This document provides information on the spatial distribution of Cod abundance on eastern Georges Bank during the spawning period based upon the DFO Winter Georges Bank Research Vessel (RV) Survey and its overlap with Scallop catches on the Canadian portion of Georges Bank. Areas of high Atlantic Cod concentration (defined as a standardized average of 3.5 or more Age 3+ Cod per tow for the last 10 years) are used to determine the distribution of spawning aggregations of Atlantic Cod on Georges Bank.

This Science Response Report results from the Science Response Process of December 18, 2019, on the Status Update of Scallop Fishery Area Closures on Georges Bank to Protect Cod Spawning Aggregations.

Science Response 2020/006 (PDF, 502 KB)

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