Science Response 2015/010

2014 4X5Yb Atlantic Cod Stock Status Update

Context

Although Atlantic Cod in the 4X5Yb area have supported a commercial fishery since the 1700s, their abundance has declined in number and biomass since 1980. In its 2003 assessment of the species, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) designated the Maritimes designatable unit (DU) Special Concern (COSEWIC 2003).  In 2010, COSEWIC re-assessed Atlantic Cod, and split the Maritimes DU into two new DUs, the Laurentian South DU and the Southern DU, and designated the Southern DU as Endangered due to significant decline in abundance and evidence of an unexplained increase in natural mortality in 4X (COSEWIC 2010). 

A Recovery Potential Assessment (RPA) was carried out by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science in 2011 to provide the information and scientific advice required to meet various requirements of the Species at Risk Act.  The RPA used data from the most recent peer reviewed stock assessment (DFO 2009) to explore the consequences of particular productivity assumptions and catch scenarios (DFO 2011a).  The present Science Response is the result of a request for a stock status update from Fisheries Management (Maritimes Region).

This Science Response Report results from the Science Response Process of January 6, 2015, on the 4X5Y Cod Stock Status Update.

Complete document (PDF, 472 KB)

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