North Sea Cod

Fishery Location: European Union, Norway, ICES Subarea IV and ICES Divisions IIIa and VIId.

 

 

Date Launched: 2010

 

FIP Stage: Stage 2, FIP is formed

 

 

 

The North Sea cod fishery presents several challenges:

The revised cod recovery plan was adopted in November 2008, and it was deemed to be in accordance with the precautionary approach by International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). Fishing effort limitations in place since 2003 were based on the number of days the fishing fleet could spend at sea, but this was changed with the new long-term management plan to also include limits on the fleet’s capacity, and is now calculated as the ratio kW/days. For 2010, this long-term management plan implied a reduction in fishing effort of 13 percent, and in 2011 a further reduction of approximately 15 percent.

The 2009 30-percent TAC increase was questionable, as it exceeded the management plan criteria and led to a fishing mortality that compromised stock recovery. The 2010 TAC was also increased by 17 percent, while the 2011 TAC was reduced by 20 percent and remained at the same level in 2012.

Recruitment has failed to improve since 2000. Consequently, even no fishing in 2012 would not allow for an increase in stock biomass to above precautionary reference point.

The FIP presently operates principally in an advisory capacity. It focuses on providing the supply chain with timely advice on the status of the fishery and options to support and contribute to fisheries improvements, with a view towards future sustainable sourcing from the fishery.

 

 

In both European and global terms, the fishery is iconic and is subject to considerable research, political and media attention. It is of high cultural and historic importance and reports of its adverse condition can have direct impact on the overall European cod market (despite the majority of cod being imported for many years).

 

In terms of the global supply of Atlantic cod, the fishery is no longer a significant source; the poor status of the stock and the high level of media, stakeholder and NGO attention resulted in delisting by a majority of UK retailers.

 

UK landings, predominantly in Scotland, are subject to primary processing (i.e. limited added value products) and mainly supplied to wholesale markets supporting food service, the fish and chip trade and traditional fishmongers.

Although not a source of direct supply, the adverse profile of the fishery “leaks” across to the perception of the entire seafood sector. Reputations are damaged and consumers can be cynical regarding sectorial claims of sustainability.

 

In 2009 it appeared that the stock was increasing slightly, cod recovery measures were delivering against objectives and the market expressed an interest in re-entering the fishery (provided certain conditions were met). Sourcing was seen as a way of expressing support for the catching sector and recognizing the efforts made to rebuild and protect the fishery. However, subsequent discards and high and unaccounted fishing mortality reversed the increase (which was driven by a relatively high recruitment against recent trends but low historically).

 

During the second half of 2010, SFP advised processors and supply chain that the fishery did not met sustainability criteria. It was agreed to wait for the scientific advice and the 2011 TAC and to review the situation in early 2011. The most recent stock status evaluation does not justify re-entering the fishery.
 

 

In the last 12 months the project has:

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Resources: www.ices.dk