Credit – Paulo Oliveira
Oceans North Remains Concerned About Increase to Northern Cod Quota
June 12, 2026
ST. JOHN’S—Oceans North remains concerned about the long-term sustainability of the 2J3KL Northern cod stock following a decision by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to significantly increase the catch quota for the 2026-2027 fishing season.
Today, DFO announced the establishment of a commercial Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of 59,000 tonnes for Northern cod’s upcoming season, one month after expanding the recreational fishery to seven days per week. Combined, these changes would mean that total Northern cod removals—the total amount of fish extracted from the population by all fishing methods—are expected to increase by approximately 55% compared to 2025.
In 2024, the Northern cod fishery was reopened after a 32 year moratorium, followed by an increase to more than double the existing quota in 2025. While the 2026 quota is projected to maintain the stock in the Healthy Zone with at least a 60% probability, uncertainties remain that require additional precaution.
In an April 2026 submission to DFO, Oceans North recommended maintaining total removals at 42,867 tonnes, citing stock assessment model uncertainty, concerns around total fishing mortality, and the need to observe sustained stock growth over a longer period before increasing catches. We also noted that under a quota rollover scenario showed the highest likelihood of continued stock growth.
This decision comes at a pivotal moment for Northern cod. While the latest stock assessment shows the stock is continuing to rebuild and is now considered to be in the Healthy Zone, the population’s recovery remains fragile and should be viewed through the lens of history.
“Newfoundland and Labradorians know better than most what can happen when optimism outpaces precaution. ”
– Gemma Rayner, Oceans North’s Fisheries Advisor
“Newfoundland and Labradorians know better than most what can happen when optimism outpaces precaution,” said Gemma Rayner, Fisheries Advisor at Oceans North, who is based in St John’s. “The collapse of this stock and the decades-long moratorium that followed are reminders of that.”
The expanded duration of the recreational fishery also remains a significant source of uncertainty for Northern cod. Recreational removals are not comprehensively monitored and may account for thousands of tonnes of additional fishing mortality annually. Improved monitoring and reporting are essential to ensuring management decisions are based on a complete understanding of total removals.
In today’s announcement, DFO also decided to maintain the capelin TAC at 2025 levels. Capelin are Northern cod’s primary prey species and a key driver of the cod stock’s recovery. While recent ecosystem conditions have been favourable, capelin abundance remains well below historical levels.
In response to this uncertainty, Oceans North recently supported lowering the 2026 capelin TAC, in line with catches from 2025.
“The question is not whether the stock can support more fishing this year. The question is whether we are making decisions that will keep the stock healthy for decades to come.”
– Katie Schleit, Oceans North’s Fisheries Director
“Cod recovery does not happen in isolation,” said Katie Schleit, Fisheries Director at Oceans North. “The stock has benefited from favourable ecosystem conditions, such as minor improvements in capelin abundance. Maintaining the precautionary management of forage species is imperative for successful ecosystem-based fisheries management, including for cod.”
Canada’s fishing industry is currently pursuing Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification for Northern cod. Achieving that goal will require strong monitoring programs, reliable accounting of total removals, and a precautionary management framework that can demonstrate long-term sustainability.
“Northern cod is one of Canada’s most iconic fisheries,” said Schleit. “The question is not whether the stock can support more fishing this year. The question is whether we are making decisions that will keep the stock healthy for decades to come. After everything this fishery has been through, precaution remains the most responsible path forward.”