A Closer Look at Northern Cod: ACCESS

Northern cod is assessed by DFO and managed as a single stock in NAFO division 2J3KL. The Total Allowable Catch (TAC) that is set each year is for 2J3KL. Different groups and fleets have access to that fishery and are granted allocations. The fishery has operated this way since the 1970s.

Prior to 2022, the 2J3KL stewardship fishery was all managed the same, with no differentiation between 2J and 3KL. Beginning in 2022, 2J received a set-aside of 20% of the maximum allowable harvest. This set-aside continued until 2024, when then Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Diane Lebouthillier, opened the commercial fishery, and the 2J set-aside became an allocation—marking the first split of the 2J3KL Northern cod quota for the inshore fleet. Also at this point, the offshore fleet and Indigenous groups received access to the fishery.

2025/26 Northern cod landings, from the Groundfish Advisory Committee, April 2026

What is 2J and the Labrador Fishermen’s Union Shrimp Company looking for?

• The 2J, >50’ fleet is seeking permits to drag for cod rather than continue to use gillnets and longlines. There are already approximately 30 mobile gear license holders in NL, some of which are in 2J. This is a significant policy change and will devalue those existing mobile gear licenses.
• 2J inshore harvesters are seeking 50% of the total 2J3KL allocation, yet they hold just 7% of the active licenses in 2J3KL. Plus, in 2025, 38% of the 2J allocation was uncaught.
• The Labrador Shrimp Company is seeking a corporate license for 5% of the 2J3KL TAC. The company currently owns and operates two 100 ft fixed gear vessels, each of which holds corporate cod quotas in 2J3KL and turbot quotas in 2+3K and the north. They also own the Northern Osprey III, a 260 ft dragger with a cod quota in 2J3KL and pollock, redfish, flounder, turbot, and halibut quotas throughout the region.

FFAW leadership and members support the 15% share of the inshore allocation for 2J inshore harvesters. This in turn supports plant workers at the Labrador Fishermen’s Union Shrimp Company. What we cannot support are more corporate licenses, the issuance of new mobile gear permits, and a 50% allocation to 2J inshore harvesters that will directly impact the viability of harvesters and plant workers in 3KL.