Canada’s decision to lift the cod fishing moratorium has raised concerns about repeating the mistakes that led to the fishery’s collapse in 1992.
Andreae Callanan reports for The Walrus.
In short:
- The moratorium was put in place in 1992 to allow depleted cod stocks to recover but lifting it has triggered concerns over sustainability.
- The decision is based on new models showing cod populations near historical levels, though critics argue the fish stock hasn't grown much.
- Inshore fishers and labor unions are worried that reopening the fishery could lead to overfishing, especially with the return of large commercial draggers.
Why this matters:
Cod stocks, vital to Newfoundland’s economy and culture, were decimated due to overfishing. Opening the fishery prematurely could endanger fragile stocks, risking another collapse that would devastate communities reliant on fishing.
Learn more: The planet’s largest ecosystems could collapse faster than we thought
