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Pacific Cod-British Columbia April 2006

Seafood Assessment

Pacific Cod Gadus macrocephalus

Image courtesy of Hart (1973)

British Columbia

April 2006

Scott Wallace Blue Planet Research and Education

1 Pacific Cod-British Columbia April 2006

About SeaChoice ® and Seafood Assessments

The SeaChoice® program evaluates the ecological sustainability of wild-caught and farmed seafood commonly found in the Canadian marketplace. SeaChoice® defines sustainable seafood as originating from sources, whether wild-caught or farmed, which can maintain or increase production in the long-term without jeopardizing the structure or function of affected ecosystems. SeaChoice® makes its science-based recommendations available to the public in the form of a pocket guide, Canada’s Seafood Guide, that can be downloaded from the Internet (www.seachoice.org) or obtained from the SeaChoice® program directly by emailing a request to us. The program’s goals are to raise awareness of important ocean conservation issues and empower Canadian seafood consumers and businesses to make choices for healthy oceans.

Each sustainability recommendation on Canada’s Seafood Guide is supported by a Seafood Assessment by SeaChoice or a Seafood Report by Monterey Bay Aquarium; both groups use the same assessment criteria. Each assessment synthesizes and analyzes the most current ecological, fisheries and ecosystem science on a species, then evaluates this information against the program’s conservation ethic/sustainability criteria to arrive at a recommendation of “Best Choice”, “Some Concerns” or “Avoid”. The detailed evaluation methodology is available on our website at www.seachoice.org. In producing Seafood Assessments, SeaChoice® seeks out research published in academic, peer-reviewed journals whenever possible. Other sources of information include government technical publications, fishery management plans and supporting documents, and scientific reviews of ecological sustainability. Information used to evaluate fisheries and aquaculture practices for assessments regularly comes from ecologists, fisheries and aquaculture scientists, members of industry and conservation organizations. Capture fisheries and aquaculture practices are highly dynamic; as the scientific information on each species changes, SeaChoice’s sustainability recommendations and the underlying Seafood Assessments will be updated to reflect these changes.

Parties interested in capture fisheries, aquaculture practices and the sustainability of ocean ecosystems are welcome to use Seafood Assessments in any way they find useful, with acknowledgement. For more information about SeaChoice® and Seafood Assessments, please contact the SeaChoice® program via e-mail and telephone information available at www.seachoice.org

SeaChoice® and Seafood Assessments are made possible through a grant from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.

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Executive Summary

Pacific cod have low inherent vulnerability to fishing pressure due to fast growth rates, high fecundity and a low age of first maturity. Stocks are recovering from very low levels observed in the late 1990s (WCVI stock) and in 2001 (Hecate Strait stock). There is no recent information on the status of the Strait of Georgia stock but it is considered to be depleted. The Queen Charlotte Sound stock has never received a formal stock assessment. Pacific cod are captured almost exclusively in a multi-species bottom trawl fishery. This gear type is non- selective and captures several non-marketable, prohibited, and undersized species as bycatch. Bottom trawling has severe habitat impacts. The management for Pacific cod is by and large effective. The main management concern is that there has been no attempt to minimize bycatch or habitat damage from trawling. Overall Pacific cod are given a seafood recommendation of good alternative.

Table of Sustainability Ranks

Conservation Concern Sustainability Criteria Low Moderate High Critical Inherent Vulnerability √ Status of Stocks √ Nature of Bycatch √ Habitat Effects √ Management Effectiveness √

About the Overall Seafood Recommendation: • A seafood product is ranked Avoid if two or more criteria are of High Conservation Concern (red) OR if one or more criteria are of Critical Conservation Concern (black) in the table above. • A seafood product is ranked Good Alternative if the five criteria “average” to yellow (Moderate Conservation Concern) OR if the “Status of Stocks” and “Management Effectiveness” criteria are both of Moderate Conservation Concern. • A seafood product is ranked Best Choice if three or more criteria are of Low Conservation Concern (green) and the remaining criteria are not of High or Critical Conservation Concern.

Overall Seafood Recommendation:

Best Choice Good Alternative Avoid

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Introduction

Biology

Pacific cod are found throughout the North Pacific from the Yellow Sea in China, north to the Chukchi Sea and around the continental shelf of the northeast Pacific to southern California (Mecklenburg et al. 2002). Adults and large juveniles seem to prefer soft bottom habitats associated with clay, sand, or mud and adults inhabit depths ranging from 10 to 875 m, although most occur from 50 to 300 m. In British Columbia Pacific cod have been found to be primarily associated with a substrate classified as Holocene sand and gravel (Sinclair et al. 2005).

Spawning generally occurs from February to March in waters from 40-120 m in depth. Pacific cod are oviparous and eggs are fertilized externally (Hart 1973). Females produce between 1.2 and 3.3 million eggs per year (Hart 1973). Pacific cod spawn annually, releasing all ripe eggs within a few minutes time. Eggs are approximately 1 mm in size and remain near the bottom (Hart 1973). Hatching occurs in 8 to 28 days depending on water temperature and salinity (Hart 1973). Larvae are approximately 3-4 mm in length at the time of hatching and are born with a yolk sack that is absorbed within 10 days (Palsson 1990). Larvae and juveniles are pelagic, and there is some evidence that both larvae and juveniles are transported to nursery habitats by currents (Garrison and Miller 1982). Pacific cod are considered a fast growing, short- lived species compared to many other groundfish found in Canadian waters. Estimates of annual natural mortality in British Columbia are from 0.23 to 0.42 (Sinclair et al. 2001). Pacific cod in northern waters are slower growing with a greater longevity than those found further south, allowing them to attain a greater size. Maximum age for Pacific cod has been estimated at 25 years however aging of Pacific cod is problematic (Munk 2001). Pacific cod populations are characterized by extreme fluctuations due to changes in recruitment conditions.

Fishery

Pacific cod are an important component of the groundfish fishery in Canada’s Pacific waters. They are captured almost exclusively by bottom trawl gear (98% since 1996) and therefore for the purposes of this report only the bottom trawl fishery is considered. In Canadian waters Pacific cod is managed as four stocks: Strait of Georgia (SG), west coast of Vancouver Island (WCVI), Queen Charlotte Sound (QCS), and Hecate Strait (HS) (Sinclair and Starr 2005). Landings from the last three areas have been approximately equal to one another in recent years but historically Hecate Strait has been the most important area (Figure 1). The Strait of Georgia stock has virtually disappeared over the last 15 years. The WCVI stock has increased in recent years but was at very low levels in 2001 (Sinclair 2001). Pacific cod landings are highly variable, and reflect changes in recruitment (Sinclair et al. 2001, Sinclair and Crawford 2005).

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1800

1600 WCVI QCS 1400 HS

1200

1000 (t) h c t

a 800 C

600

400

200

0 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Year

Figure 1. Catch (t) of Pacific cod in Canada’s Pacific waters from 1996 to 2004 by management area in the commercial bottom trawl fishery. Source: PacHarvTrawl database.

Scope of the analysis and the ensuing recommendation:

The recommendation from this analysis is limited to Pacific cod captured in Canadian waters.

Availability of Science

Pacific cod have received considerable scientific attention in Canada’s Pacific waters in recent years due to their low abundance. The most recent assessments were carried out for the WCVI in 2001 and 2002 (Sinclair et al. 2001, Starr et al. 2002) and Hecate Strait in 2000, 2001, and 2005 (Sinclair 2000, Sinclair et al. 2001, Sinclair and Starr 2005). The Strait of Georgia stock was last assessed in 1987 (Westrheim and Foucher 1987). The Queen Charlotte Sound stock has never been properly assessed although much of the available information regarding this management area was assembled in Sinclair and Starr (2005).

Market Availability

Common and market names: Pacific cod are also referred to as grey cod and true cod. Seasonal availability: Pacific cod is available all year. Product forms: Pacific cod is sold as fillets either fresh or frozen. Import and export sources and statistics: Pacific cod is not specifically accounted for in seafood trade statistics. The category ‘cod’ is likely comprised mostly of Pacific cod as there are categories for ‘Atlantic cod’ and lingcod. In 2005, 637 t of ‘cod’ were reported as exported from Canada.1

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Analysis of Seafood Watch® Sustainability Criteria for Wild-caught Species

Criterion 1: Inherent Vulnerability to Fishing Pressure

Pacific cod are a fast growing species reaching almost 30 cm in length in their first year (DFO 2002). The growth rate or von Bertalanfy growth coefficient (K) is a measure of the rate at which the asymptotic length is approached and it is often used as an indicator of a species resilience to fishing pressure. The growth rate (K) of Pacific cod in Canadian waters is ~0.31 (Sinclair and Starr 2005). Pacific cod are mature by age 2-3 and produce up to 3.3 million eggs depending on size (Hart 1973, DFO 2002). Pacific cod form dense aggregations during spawning making them susceptible to harvest at this time. Abundance of Pacific cod can vary dramatically from one year to the next based on the suitability of the environmental conditions for larval survival and transport to favourable rearing areas (see review in Sinclair and Crawford 2005). Pacific cod have a closed swim bladder making them susceptible to internal injuries when brought to surface from depth and therefore if discarded as bycatch they have little chance of survival. Overall Pacific cod has a low inherent vulnerability to fishing pressure and therefore this criterion is given an overall ranking of green.

Table 1. Life history characteristics of Pacific cod.

Growth Age at Maximum Species Special Population Fecundity Rate Maturity Age Range Behaviors Variability 1.2-3.3 Spawning North K=0.31 2-3 years 25 years million aggregations High Pacific eggs

Synthesis Criterion 1: Inherent Vulnerability to Fishing Pressure Primary Factors to Evaluate Ranking Intrinsic rate of increase ‘r’ Not found Age at first maturity von Bertalanfy growth coefficient ‘k’ Maximum Age Reproductive potential (fecundity) Secondary Factors to Evaluate Species range Special behaviours or requirements Quality of habitat (non-fishery impacts) None Overall Inherent Vulnerability to Fishing Pressure Rank

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Criterion 2: Status of Wild Stocks

For management purposes British Columbia’s Pacific cod population is broadly managed as four stocks; Strait of Georgia, West Coast Vancouver Island, Queen Charlotte Sound, and Hecate Strait. Only the WCVI and HS areas have received any recent stock assessments.

Factor 1: Management classification status

Pacific cod stocks in Canadian waters are fully fished and in some management areas the stocks are at a low level of abundance. Recent stock assessment information exists only for the HS stock (Sinclair and Starr 2005) and the WCVI stock (Starr et al. 2002). The HS stock is at a low level of abundance but is thought to be recovering after a historic low in 2001 (Sinclair and Starr 2005). The WCVI assessment is five years old and therefore may not reflect current abundance. The 2002 WCVI assessment indicated that the stock was rebuilding from historical lows observed in the late 1990s (Starr et al. 2002). Stock status in the SG and QCS areas are known primarily from catch statistics. Landings of Pacific cod from the Strait of Georgia have fallen to near zero since 1990 (Figure 2). Overall this factor is given a yellow ranking as most of the Pacific cod available in the market place are from stocks that are rebuilding and monitored. The Strait of Georgia stock however remains a conservation concern.

1400

1200

1000 ) t ( 800 gs n i

d 600 n

La 400

200

0 40 50 60 70 80 90 00 19 19 19 19 19 19 20 Year

Figure 2. Pacific cod landings from the Strait of Georgia management area. Source: DFO catch statistics.

Factor 2: Abundance threshold

Recent estimates of the current population relative to Bmsy are available from the HS management area for 2005 and WCVI in 2002. Starr et al. (2005) estimated the range of B2005/Bmsy from 55% to 184% for the HS region. Sinclair et al. (2002) estimate the B2002/Bmsy to range from 39-104%. Overall there is considerable variation in this factor which averages out in the 50-100% range which suggests the biomass is below MSY and therefore this factor is given a yellow ranking.

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Factor 3: Occurrence of Overfishing

The low levels of Pacific cod abundance observed in the late 1990s in the WCVI region and in HS in 2001 prompted a decrease in the TACs to levels below Fmsy. Overfishing is not occurring and therefore this factor receives a green ranking.

Factor 4: Overall degree of uncertainty in status of stock

Pacific cod populations are naturally quite variable. The two main management regions which account for ~70% of the TAC, have an overall low degree of uncertainty due to available fisheries independent surveys as well as reliable fishery dependent data. Uncertainty in the model results themselves are incorporated into yield recommendations. Overall this factor is given a green ranking.

Factor 5: Long-term trend

Long term estimated biomass trends are available for the WCVI and the HS management regions (Sinclair et al. 2002, Starr and Sinclair 2005). In both areas the current biomass is below the long term average (Figures 3 and 4). This factor receives a red ranking.

Figure 3. Modeled biomass estimates of Pacific cod in the Hecate Strait management area. Source: Starr and Sinclair (2005).

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Figure 4. Modeled biomass estimates for Pacific cod in the West Coast Vancouver Island management area. Source: Sinclair et al. (2002).

Factor 6: Short term trend

The short term trend in Pacific cod abundance is increasing for both the WCVI and HS management areas (Figures 3 and 4). This factor receives a green ranking.

Factor 7: Current age, size, or sex distribution

Because Pacific cod are a relatively short-lived, fast growing species the age and size distribution is not as indicative of fishing pressure as it is for longer lived species. Mean size in the population is a function of growth conditions and proportion of various year classes in the samples. Overall, the biological indicators are functionally normal and therefore this factor receives a green ranking.

Synthesis

Criterion 2: Status of Wild Stocks Primary Factors to Evaluate Ranking Management classification status Current population abundance relative to BMSY Occurrence of overfishing Overall degree of uncertainty in status of stock Long term trend in abundance Short term trend in abundance Current age, size, or sex distribution Overall Status of Wild Stocks Rank

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Criterion 3: Nature and Extent of Bycatch

Seafood Watch® defines sustainable wild-caught seafood as marine life captured using fishing techniques that successfully minimize the catch of unwanted and/or unmarketable species (i.e., bycatch). Bycatch is defined as species that are caught but subsequently discarded (injured or dead) for any reason. Bycatch does not include incidental catch (non-targeted catch) if it is utilized, accounted for and/or managed in some way. Pacific cod is primarily caught by bottom trawl which is a non-selective gear type. For the purposes of this report, bycatch associated with capturing Pacific cod is considered in the context of the entire bottom trawl fishery. More specific data was requested from DFO but was not made available to the author at the time of writing this report.

Factor 1: Quantity of Bycatch

From 1996 to 2004 the bottom trawl fishery in British Columbia caught ~350,000 t of fish and other marine life (DFO PacHarvTrawl database, unpublished data). Of this amount, approximately 80 000 t (~9000 t/yr) was discarded for a total landings to bycatch ratio of 23%. There are several hundred species of animals caught in this fishery. The status of most of these species is at best poorly known. There is one species that is currently listed as threatened by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) and that is the rockfish species bocaccio listed in 2002. Several other marine fish species caught by this fishery are presently going through the COSEWIC assessment process. Bocaccio is not legally listed through the Species at Risk Act and therefore there are no legal consequences associated with harming or capturing them. The trawl fleet has voluntarily agreed to not sell bocaccio which has effectively removed any incentive to capture them and has resulted in a reduction in their catch (DFO 2004).

From 1996 to 2004, 9.7% of the total catch of Pacific cod was discarded presumably due to capture of non-marketable undersized fish (i.e., <46 cm) (DFO 2005). Overall, this factor is given a yellow ranking based on the discard to landings ratio.

Factor 2: Population Consequence of the Bycatch

As mentioned previously there are hundreds of species captured in this fishery. The status of most species is poorly understood. At present, there are no known species whose populations are being driven towards extinction due to impacts from this fishery. Pacific cod are mostly commonly caught alongside arrowtooth flounder, yellowtail rockfish, Pacific Ocean perch, and English sole (Figure 5). This factor is given a yellow ranking.

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Figure 5. Total catches (t) of species caught in fishing tows that yielded 90% of the Pacific cod catch in the period 1996-2004 in Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound. Source: Sinclair and Starr (2005).

Factor 3: Trends in Bycatch Rates

The bycatch rate in British Columbia’s bottom trawl fishery has varied but has not shown a dramatic increase or decrease from 1996 to 2004 (DFO PacHarvTrawl database, Figure 6). The cause for the decline in discard rate in 2001 is unknown. Overall this factor receives a yellow ranking.

d 25 e d ar sc i h d tc ca of

% 20

15 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Year

Figure 6. Percentage of total catch (by weight) discarded in British Columbia’s commercial bottom trawl fishery. Dotted line represents the series average. Source: PacHarvTrawl database.

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Secondary Factor: Ecosystem Impacts

There is little doubt that the discarding and relocation of ~9000 t/year of biomass taken by bottom trawls will to some degree alter the normal ecological pathways. However, due to the complexity of the marine ecosystem combined with the lack of ecosystem-based studies there is presently no evidence to indicate any changes in the ecosystem structure due to discarding. This factor receives an unknown yellow ranking.

Synthesis Criterion 3: Bycatch Primary Factors to Evaluate Ranking Quantity of bycatch Population consequence of bycatch Trends in bycatch rates Secondary Factors Ecosystem Impacts Overall Bycatch Rank

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Criterion 4: Effect of Fishing Practices on Habitats and Ecosystems

Primary Habitat Factors

Factor 1: Impacts of Fishing Gear on Habitat.

Approximately 98% of Pacific cod are taken by the bottom trawl fishing method (PacHarvTrawl database, unpublished data). This method is widely known to disrupt bottom habitat and is therefore considered to cause great damage (red).

Factor 2: Resilience of the Habitat Trawled

The bottom habitat exposed to trawling on British Columbia’s continental shelf is primarily deep water (>50m) on a variety of substrates (Figures 7 & 8) (Sinclair et al. 2005). Each substrate provides the basis for a different ecological community. Each community has inherently different resilience to bottom trawling. However the resilience of these communities to bottom trawling has not yet been defined in British Columbia. Pacific cod are mostly associated with Holocene sand and gravel in waters between 60-160 m (Sinclair et al. 2005, Sinclair and Starr 2005). This type of habitat may be more resilient to disturbance from bottom trawling then other habitat types but at present is unknown. For precautionary purposes this factor is evaluated at the scale of the entire bottom trawl fishery until which time the proportion of Pacific cod landings by habitat type are known.

5000 4500

4000 3500 ) s r 3000 u o 2500 rt (h 2000 Effo 1500 1000

500 0 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1210 Depth interval (m)

Figure 7. Trawl effort by depth in British Columbia’s commercial bottom trawl fishery from 1996 to 2004. Source: DFO PacHarvTrawl database.

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Figure 8. Spatial extent of surficial units and the bottom trawl fishery over these units in Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound. The fishery distribution of the fishery is described by the area fished and by the distribution of fishing effort (hours). The upper panel shows the percent distribution of surficial units (bottom type), area fished, and hours fished. Source: Sinclair et al. 2005.

There are several records of corals, sponges, and other benthic structure forming organisms caught by the trawl fleet suggesting that at least some of this habitat has a low resilience to the impacts of bottom trawling. It is worth noting that these areas have been trawled for two to six decades and therefore many of the non-resilient species would have largely disappeared prior to the beginning of the observer program in 1996. Since the introduction of individual vessel quotas (IVQs) in 1997, the annual area trawled has decreased as fishing effort has tended to have contracted to core areas. Evidence of decline is based on the number of fished blocks plotted on a 10X10 km grid. In 1996 there were 672 blocks with at least one trawl tow, in 2004 this had been reduced by ~25% to 515 (DFO unpublished data). The spatial contraction of the trawl fleet has both positive and negative interpretations as it applies to this criterion. A contraction, due to consolidation of the fleet and less overall effort, translates into possibly less area trawled on an annual basis (a precise analysis of this has yet to be done on this coast) which is a net conservation benefit. On the other hand, the concentration of the fleet into core areas will likely yield less non-resilient species identified through the observer program due to years of trawling. A case can be made that ongoing bottom trawling is preventing the restoration of habitat that prior to trawling would have supported larger concentrations of non-resilient species than observed today. Overall the resilience is considered to be low and therefore this factor receives a red ranking.

Factor 3: Spatial Extent of the Impact.

The commercial trawl catch for Pacific cod is very widespread occurring over 78 000 km2 based on 10X10 km grid squares (Figure 9). The gear impacts occur over large spatial scale and therefore this factor receives a red ranking.

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Figure 9. Distribution of Pacific cod on a 10 x 10 km grid based on catches in British Columbia’s commercial fisheries (primarily trawl) (1996-2004). Source: Olsen 2005.

Primary Ecosystem Factors

Factor 1: Disruption of food webs.

There are no demonstrated ecosystem impacts from the removal of Pacific cod. Overall the ecosystem impacts of their removal is unknown and therefore this factor receives a yellow ranking.

Factor 2: Changes in ecosystem state.

There is little doubt that the capture of ~40 000 t of biomass per year by bottom trawling in Canada’s Pacific waters has wide ranging ecosystem impacts. The alteration of bottom habitat and trophic changes from the biomass removal itself will impact the ecosystem structure. Understanding these impacts in Canadian waters has not yet been properly investigated and therefore it is unknown whether large scale ecosystem state changes have occurred from trawling. This factor receives an unknown yellow ranking.

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Synthesis Criterion 4: Effect of Fishing Practices on Habitats and Ecosystems

Factors to Evaluate Ranking Impacts of Fishing Gear on Habitat Resilience of the Habitat Spatial Extent of the Impact Disruption of food webs Changes in ecosystem state Overall Effect of Fishing Practices on Habitats and Ecosystems Rank

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Criterion 5: Effectiveness of the Management Regime

Factor 1: Stock Assessments

The most recent stock assessment for Pacific cod was for Hecate Strait in 2005 (Sinclair and Starr 2005). The WCVI stock was last assessed in 2002 which for management purposes is out-of-date. For Hecate Strait, the stock assessment can be considered suitably complete, up-to- date and robust. There has never been a stock assessment for the Queen Charlotte Sound stock. The Strait of Georgia stock has completely disappeared and there has been no assessment since 1987 (Westrheim and Foucher 1987). Given that most of the commercial harvest is taken out of Hecate Strait and WCVI (areas with assessments) this factor receives a yellow ranking.

Factor 2: Scientific Monitoring

Pacific cod are monitored using both fisheries independent and fisheries dependent data. Fisheries independent data involves regular bottom trawl surveys which in recent years have expanded in coverage such that the main fishing areas are now surveyed. The trawl fleet has 100% observer coverage and therefore fisheries dependent data (i.e., CPUE, spatial distribution of the fleet, depth, etc.) is comprehensive and reliable. Overall, relative to most fisheries in the world, this fishery receives regular scientific monitoring. This factor receives a green ranking.

Factor 3: Scientific Advice

Management has invariably adopted the recommendations put fourth from scientific advisory processes. The quotas have been adjusted accordingly based on stock assessments where available. Overall this factor is given a green ranking.

Factor 4: Management Plans to Control Bycatch

There is no plan in place to effectively reduce the amount of bycatch in the commercial bottom trawl fishery and therefore this factor receives a red ranking.

Factor 5: Management Plans to Control Habitat Impacts from Fishing Practices

Bottom trawls are the primary gear type targeting Pacific cod. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has made very little attempt to mitigate the ecosystem impacts of bottom trawling. At present there are four trawl closures in waters of eastern Queen Charlotte Sound and Hecate Strait for the protection of sponge reefs (DFO 2005). Overall, the effectiveness of these measures has not been demonstrated nor have measures been taken to address several other conservation concerns associated with bottom trawling. Given the relatively small area that is protected from trawling for conservation reasons, these measures are deemed ineffective and are given a red ranking.

Factor 6: Catch Monitoring and Enforcement

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The Option A trawl fishery is responsible for ~98% of the Pacific cod catch. This fishery is subject to 100% onboard observer coverage as well as 100% dockside monitoring. The regulations of this fishery are well enforced. This category receives a green ranking.

Factor 7: Management Track Record

Generally, over the last ten years, management has responded quickly to changes in the abundance of Pacific cod in regions where assessments have been undertaken but populations of Pacific cod have not yet fully recovered. The Strait of Georgia Pacific cod population is still depleted due to the combined impacts of overfishing and suboptimal environmental conditions. Management has not addressed the decline in the Strait of Georgia area. This factor is given a yellow ranking.

Table 2. Commercial harvest management measures for the Pacific cod fishery. Management Jurisdictions Total Allowable Catch Gear Restrictions Trip Limit Area Closures Sources & Agencies 2005: WCVI=500 t Spawning No gear restrictions QCS=390 t closures in DFO specifically for None DFO 2005 HS=400 Hecate Strait and Pacific cod. SG=no TAC WCVI.

Synthesis

Criterion 5: Effectiveness of the Management Regime Factors to Evaluate Ranking Stock Assessments Scientific Monitoring Scientific Advice Bycatch Fishing Practices Catch Monitoring and Enforcement Management Track Record

Overall Effectiveness of the Management Regime

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Overall Evaluation and Seafood Recommendation

Table of Sustainability Ranks

Conservation Concern Sustainability Criteria Low Moderate High Critical Inherent Vulnerability √ Status of Stocks √ Nature of Bycatch √ Habitat Effects √ Management Effectiveness √

Overall Seafood Recommendation:

Best Choice Good Alternative Avoid

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References

DFO. 1999. Pacific Cod in Hecate Strait. DFO Science Stock Status Report A6-01(1999). Available online at: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/sci/psarc/SSRs/ssrs_e.htm

Garison, K. J. and B. S. Miller 1982, Review of the early life history of Puget Sound fishes. Fish. Res. Inst. University of Washington, Seattle, WA. 729p.

DFO. 2004. Allowable harm assessment for bocaccio. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Stock Status Report 2004/043.

DFO. 2005. Pacific region integrated fisheries management plan groundfish trawl April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006. Ottawa, Canada.

Grant, W.S., I.Z. Chang, T. Kobayashi, and G. Stahl. 1987. Lack of genetic stock discretion in Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus). Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 44:490-498.

Hart, J.L. 1973. Pacific fishes of Canada. Fisheries Research Board of Canada Bulletin 180. 740 p.

Ketchen, K.S.1961. Observations on the ecology of the Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) in Canadian waters. J. Fish. Res. Board Can. 18(4):513-558.

Mecklenburg, C.W., T.A. Mecklenburg and L.K. Thorsteinson, 2002. Fishes of Alaska.. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland. xxxvii +1037 p. Munk, K. M. 2001. Maximum ages of groundfish in waters off Alaska and British Columbia and considerations of age determination. Alaska Fish. Res. Bull. 8:12–21.

Olsen, N. 2005, unpublished data. DFO general status of marine fish data report on Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus). Groundfish Stock Assessment Division, Pacific Biological Station, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Nanaimo, British Columbia.

Palsson, W. A. 1990, Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) in Puget Sound and adjacent water: biology and stock assessment. Wash. Dept. Fish. Tech. Rep. 112, 137p.

Sinclair, A.F. 2000. Assessment of Pacific cod in Hecate Strait, Nov. 2000. Canadian Stock Assessment Secretariat Research Document 2000/170: 53.

Sinclair, A. S. Martell, and J. Boutillier. 2001. Assessment of Pacific cod off the west coast of Vancouver Island and in Hecate Strait, November 2001. Can. Sci. Adv.Sec. 2001/59.

Sinclair, A., K., Conway and W. Crawford. 2005. Associations between bathymetric, geologic and oceanographic features and the distribution of the British Columbia groundfish trawl fishery. ICES CM 2005/L:25.

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Sinclair, A.F. and W.R. Crawford. 2005. Incorporating an environmental stock recruitment relationship in the assessment of Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus). Fisheries Oceanography. 14(2):138-150.

Sinclair, A.F. and P.J. Starr. 2005. Assessment of Pacific cod in Hecate Strait (5CD) and Queen Charlotte Sound (5AB). Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat Research Document. 2005/026

Starr, P.J., A.F. Sinclair and J. Boutillier. 2002. West coast Vancouver Island Pacific cod assessment: 2002. Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat Research Document 2002/113: 29 p.

Westrheim, S.J. and R.P. Foucher. 1987. Stock assessment of Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) in Georgia and Juan de Fuca Straits. Can. MS Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 1905: 84 p.

1 http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/communic/statistics/trade/canadian_trade/import_data/msps05_e.htm