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DFO Releases Fall Cod Plan

September 9, 2025

Following recommendations from FFAW-Unifor’s Cod Working Group, DFO has approved changes for the 2025 fall cod fishery. Please see the attached table for the 2025 implementation. 

The new trip limit for fall-only harvesters is a first-time management approach and will be reviewed post-season.

Licence conditions will be available in NOLS starting tomorrow, with a Notice to Fish Harvesters to follow.

FFAW-Unifor thanks DFO for working with our union to implement in-season changes that ensure fairness and sustainability in the cod fishery

Regular season harvesters fishing in the fall:Fall-only harvesters:
12,000 lbs. per share weekly limit (round weight)24,000 lbs. per share trip limit (round weight)
Authorized catch limit of 12,000 lbs. = 15 nets Authorized trip limit of 24,000 lbs. = 24 nets  
Authorized catch limit greater than 12,000 lbs. up to and including 24,000 lbs. = 24 nets Authorized trip limit greater than 24,000 lbs. up to and including 48,000 lbs. = 40 nets
Authorized catch limit greater than 24,000 lbs. up to and including 36,000 lbs. = 30 nets Authorized trip limit greater than 48,000 lbs. up to and including 72,000 lbs. = 60 nets 
Authorized catch limit greater than 36,000 lbs. up to and including 48,000 lbs. = 40 nets Authorized trip limit greater than 72,000 lbs. up to and including 96,000 lbs. = 80 nets 
Authorized catch limits greater than 48,000 lbs. = 50 nets Authorized trip limits greater than 96,000 lbs. = 100 nets 

Dr. Erin Carruthers

Dr. Erin Carruthers is the Science Director and Senior Fisheries Scientist with the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW-Unifor), which is the labour union that represents the owner-operator fleet in Newfoundland and Labrador. The FFAW is committed to research and management that supports healthy oceans, fisheries, and coastal communities. Dr. Carruthers received her Ph. D. in Biology from Memorial University in 2011 followed by a postdoctoral fellowship with the Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research. Before coming to Newfoundland, Erin worked as a Research Biologist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada at the St. Andrews Biological Station. Her current research program is co-constructed with fish harvesters and includes research on coastal fishing communities, collaborative longline and trap surveys, and best practices for the avoidance, handling and release of unwanted catch.