Interruptions in DFO science survey activity mean some significant changes to annual stock assessments this year.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans says unforeseen mechanical issues with research vessels, and turbulent weather conditions resulted in interruptions in science survey activity in the last year.

The data gaps are large enough says DFO to warrant changes to their assessment schedule. As a result, a full capelin stock assessment will come in the form of an update, while the northern cod stock assessment has been cancelled for this year.

The stock assessment is the benchmark on which decisions are made regarding quotas and total allowable catch. DFO says with a comprehensive science program and management decision process, it is still confident in the ability to “make informed decisions” for the stocks in the coming months.

A peer-reviewed science update to the 2021 capelin stock assessment is ongoing and advice resulting from the meeting will be provided to managers to help inform the capelin management decision.

DFO admits that the cancellation of the northern cod assessment is unfortunate, but says it is assessed regularly and a lot of data on the stocks already exist. A decision for the northern cod fishery will be based on available science from the 2021 stock assessment and consultations through the advisory process factoring in socio-economic considerations and current fisheries policy. DFO says fisheries managers will consider the one-year projections made during the 2021 northern cod stock assessment, which indicated the health of the stock would be similar in 2022.