2025 Northern Cod Management Plan Brings Increase to Inshore Fleets
June 18, 2025
ST. JOHN’S, NL – The federal management plan for 2J3KL northern cod fishery has been released this morning, bringing important news to thousands of groundfish harvesters around the province. FFAW-Unifor is welcoming the increase in the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) to 38,000t, including a 30,400t inshore allocation and a reinstatement of the historical 2% allocation to the mid-shore fleet.
“We’re pleased Minister Thompson accepted the union’s recommendations in a number of key areas, including rebalancing allocations between the 2J, 3K and 3L reinstating the allocation to the <65’ mobile gear fleet . These improvements by the Minister show a keen willingness to work with our members and ensure that fishing decisions are reflective of the needs of our coastal economies,” FFAW-Unifor President Dwan Street says. “We’re certainly thrilled to see a substantial increase going to the inshore northern cod fishery this year, which is reflective of the robust inshore catch rates.”
While today’s plan brought great news for NL harvesters, the union is proceeding with a federal judicial review process to uphold the 115,000t commitment, with a hearing scheduled this December.
FFAW-Unifor remains steadfast in its advocacy for fisheries management decisions that prioritize adjacent harvesters and sustainable practices. The union is looking forward to continued collaboration with Minister Thompson.