The single largest buyer of cod in the province expects to see a negative effect on their operation as a result of the latest stock assessment in 3PS. The stock is now in the critical zone, and scientists are urging the federal government to keep harvesting pressure as low as possible.

Alberto Wareham, president of Icewater Seafoods in Arnold’s Cove, doesn’t agree with the numbers that DFO is showing. Scientists used a new model in doing the assessment, but Wareham says they’re not seeing any drastic changes on the water. He says an inshore fisherman from Arnold’s Cove landed 4,300 pounds of cod the other day, a good haul for a small boat.

About 80 per cent of the cod at Icewater comes from Newfoundland waters, and about 50 per cent of that comes from 3PS which covers St. Mary’s Bay to Burgeo.

Wareham expects his workforce of 215 will feel the impact.

There will be changes in 2020 but they won’t know the full effect untijl the quotas are set in a few months.