. . World news – AU – Cod stocks off North South. The. The coast is at critical levels, says the fisheries department

ST. John, N.. The. New federal research indicates cod stocks off the southern coast of Newfoundland and Labrador are at very low levels..

The study, conducted in early November by the Federal Fisheries Administration, estimates that cod populations in the area are likely to remain in the Critical Zone through 2023..

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While fishing mortality rates have decreased, the ministry says natural cod mortality rates have been on the rise over the past decade..

The Fisheries Department says the estimate of the number of small fish that will contribute to stocks in the future has been lower than the long-term average since the mid-1990s..

It states that fishing in the area south of the province should be reduced as much as possible so that the cod stock has a chance to bounce.

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Fisheries, wild fisheries, fisheries and oceans, Canada, Canada, industry, cod