FFAW-Unifor Welcomes Minister Thompson’s Decision to Protect Inshore Access in Northern Cod Fishery

ST. JOHN’S, NL — FFAW-Unifor is welcoming today’s decision by Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Joanne Thompson to maintain fair access for inshore harvesters and plant workers in the 2026 commercial Northern cod fishery.

Minister Thompson announced today that the 2026 Northern cod Total Allowable Catch will be set at 59,000 tonnes, with 41,300 tonnes allocated directly to the inshore fleet. This represents 70% of the overall TAC, while an additional 10% has been allocated for Indigenous and special allocations, maintaining the broader 80% allocation outside the offshore and midshore sectors. The decision also maintains the existing 85/15 sharing arrangement between 3KL and 2J.

“Maintaining the 85/15 sharing arrangement is an important outcome for harvesters and plant workers throughout 2J3KL,” says FFAW-Unifor President Dwan Street. “However, we remain concerned by the reduction in direct inshore allocation and the significant increase in offshore access. As this fishery rebuilds, any shift away from owner-operator harvesters and plant workers must be carefully scrutinized to ensure Northern cod continues to benefit the people and local economies that depend on it.”

FFAW-Unifor has consistently called on the federal government to maintain the existing allocation structure for Northern cod, including protecting inshore access and upholding the 85/15 sharing arrangement between 3KL and 2J.

“Today’s decision provides stability for harvesters and plant workers throughout 2J3KL,” Street says. “It recognizes that fair access for 2J can be maintained without taking away from 3KL harvesters, and that the benefits of Northern cod must stay with the people who depend on the fishery.”

Minister Thompson’s decision protects the existing sharing arrangement, maintains inshore access, and provides much-needed certainty for harvesters and plant workers throughout 2J3KL.

“This is what fairness looks like,” says Street. “Northern cod must be managed in a way that supports adjacency, respects owner-operator enterprises, and delivers the greatest possible benefit to harvesters, plant workers, and working people across Newfoundland and Labrador.”

FFAW-Unifor will review the full details of the 2026 management plan once released and continue working with members throughout 2J3KL to ensure the fishery is managed in the best interests of those who rely on it.