2007 Survey of the Recreational Cod Fishery of Newfoundland and Labrador

Harvest - Wolffish

Adult anglers who fished in the Newfoundland and Labrador recreational cod fishery in 2007 were asked if they had caught any wolffish. The purpose of this question was to establish the number of incidental wolffish interceptions that occurred in the 2007 recreational cod fishery. Under the Species at Risk Act, wolffish which are caught are to be safely returned to the water (if possible). In commercial fishing operations, wolffish that are intercepted without successful return to the water must be reported and the fisher issued with an incidental harm permit.

In the recreational fishery, an estimated 1,600 anglers reported catching wolffish during the course of their cod fishing activities. They reported that they caught a total of 3,601 wolffish, of which they returned all to the water successfully. It may be assumed that the rate of incidental harm in the recreational fishery is extremely low as a result of the findings in this survey.