The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) released yesterday its latest Wildlife Species Assessments. Included in the list are recommendations for several saltwater fish species, including increased protection for Atlantic cod, American Plaice, deep water redfish and Acadian redfish under the Species at Risk Act (SARA).

The COSEWIC recommendations include:

• Atlantic cod be listed as endangered. Over the past 33 years the Atlantic cod population off of Labrador and northeaster Newfoundland has declined by 97-99%.  Over the past 30 years, the Gulf of St. Lawrence population has declined by 76-89%. These declines are attributed to targeted fishing, bycatch, and natural mortality.

• Acadian redfish in southern Newfoundland and the Gulf of St. Lawrence be listed as endangered. Likewise, that the northern population of deep water redfish off Labrador and north-eastern and eastern Newfoundland be listed as threatened. These populations are identified as having declined 97-99%.  These declines are attributed to targeted fishing, bycatch, and possibly seal predation.

• American plaice be listed as threatened in Newfoundland and Labrador waters. Over the past 48 years, the adult populations have decreased by 94-96%. These declines are attributed to targeted fishing and bycatch.

FISH ON!

 

Canada, Cobia, Cod, Endangered Species, fish, Fishing, Species At Risk Act (SARA)

By Sid

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