The northern cod stock is in  the healthy zone and able to support a 55 per cent increase in the total catch this year according to DFO but it’s a different story for another stock off our shores.

The moratorium continues for northern gulf cod, which remains in the critical zone with no immediate improvement in sight.

The maximum removal is 500 tonnes which accounts mainly for bycatch.

St. John’s East  MP and Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson says that’s tough on processors and harvesters on the west and south coasts.

“Those inshore harvesters want to get on the water but we have to protect that stock. It is two different stories emerging though with the health of northern cod,” said Thompson.

Dwan Street, President of the FFAW, says they had hoped to see that stock rebuild by now but there are several factors at play.