Common Name
Atlantic Cod
Scientific Name
Gadus morhua
The MSC certificate for this fishery was voluntarily suspended by certificate holders in light of recently renewed concerns about stock health resulting from changes in the ecosystem. The Atlantic Groundfish Council (AGC), an industry association for offshore fishery companies in Canada, has subsequently initiated a Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) that will be supported by the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP). This FIP aims to complete an action plan that includes continued compliance with, and reporting on, all conditions associated with the suspended MSC certification and will serve to guide the fishery back to MSC certification as soon as possible. The FIP action plan will include improving the stock assessment model, gaining insight into the ecosystem drivers and exploring the role of discrete components in supporting the overall stock complex.
| 7% | 11% | 82% |
| 50% |
| Behind | On Track | Complete | Future |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | 50% | 50% | 0% |
| Behind | On Track | Complete | Future |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | 67% | 33% | 0% |
The overall objective for this FIP is successful MSC re-certification of the fishery after improving aspects of fishery science and management. Remaining FIP objectives now expected to be achieved by April 2026 are:
Manage stock rebuilding until it is highly likely the stock is above the LRP.
Revise existing rebuilding plan and develop stock projection capability to confirm stock rebuilding time.
Improve the harvest strategy for the stock to effectively respond to the state of the stock.
Revise and test harvest control rules that are robust to main uncertainties.
Continue improvements identified in initial MSC certification conditions.
