Federal fisheries minister ignored DFO advice by reopening commercial cod fishery

Federal Fisheries Minister Diane Lebouthillier ignored the advice of staff within her department when she reopened the commercial cod fishery off Newfoundland and Labrador in June.

A briefing note dated May 9 reveals that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans recommended maintaining the longtime moratorium on northern cod based on scientific evidence, but that political advisors within the minister's office argued reopening the commercial fishery and hiking quotas would be «politically a victory.»

Senior policy advisor Paul Carrigan wrote that DFO staff were concerned about an increase to quotas and the return of offshore boats in the fishery, which would «increase the stocks' risk of decline.»

According to the document, the department wanted to maintain the total allowable catch at 13,000 tonnes — the same level announced in 2022 and 2023. They also recommended the minister maintain a stewardship fishery for cod, meaning a limited fishery practised solely by inshore harvesters.

«Certainly, this option is based more on scientific advice,» reads the briefing note, which was first reported on by news website allNewfoundlandLabrador.

'Rest assured' in government's approach, says minister

Lebouthillier declined an interview Monday because she was travelling to British Columbia.

«It's important to do things right, and that's why we are revitalizing this fishery carefully, but with optimism,» said the minister in a statement to Radio-Canada in French.

«Rest assured that I will continue to work closely with the industry, both on the harvesting and processing sides, as well as with the province's various Indigenous communities, to ensure the sustainable development of Newfoundland and Labrador's fisheries sector.»

'Politics trumping