The Newfoundland and Labrador Groundfish Industry Development Council says the federal government needs to ensure that its fleet of scientific research vessels is fully operational to prevent further gaps in important stock data.

The council says the lack of scientific assessment on stocks over the last year continues to be a “huge concern” for them and others with an interest in the well-being of fish stocks.

The development council was not surprised with a rollover of the TAC from last year for the stewardship fishery in 2J3KL.

The industry says the inability to complete stock assessments last year was mainly due to scientific research vessels being out of commission with mechanical problems, and the incomplete 2021 fall multi-species survey is a scenario that should not be repeated.

Chair Jim Baird says having a fleet of operational research vessels should be federal minister Joyce Murray’s priority.