Cod: Pacific

Pacific cod, Grey cod, True cod

N/A

Pacific cod is a moderately long-lived species that reaches maturity at an early age and grows quickly.  There are several gear types that are used in the Alaskan, Canadian, Russian and Japanese fishery, each with their own habitat effects.  Hook and line, or jigging are deemed the least damaging of the gear types used, while traps, pots, and bottom longline all have varying degrees of bycatch levels and/or habitat effects.  Trawling for Pacific cod is also widespread and is considered damaging to seafloor habitats. Pacific cod are also act as important prey for marine mammals like sea lions, and various species of sea birds.

Pacific cod reach maturity at a relatively early age, and is a fast-growing, moderately long-lived species with a maximum age of 25 years. As a species with high reproductive potential and a high growth rates, Pacific cod is considered inherently resilient to fishing pressure.

Pacific cod stocks in Canadian waters are fully fished and have abundance and biomass estimates below the maximum sustainable yield in some management areas. With decreases in the total allowable catches in 2001, overfishing is not occurring but biomass remains below the long-term average, but is increasing. Until the biomass is rated at or above the maximum sustainable yield, this remains a moderate conservation concern.

The Pacific cod trawl fishery bycatch is typically much higher than more selective gear types or fishing methods. This indiscriminate gear type can snare several non target species including several species of groundfish, some seabirds, and structure forming organisms such as corals and sponges.

Bottom trawling typically has severe impacts on seafloor habitat. Of particular concern is the damage done to slow growing corals and sponges. Damage to these types of sensitive habitats has been shown to reduce the diversity and abundance of associated species and other commercially viable fisheries making the use of trawl gear in this fishery a high conservation concern.

There has never been a stock assessment done for the Queen Charlotte Sound Pacific cod stock. The Strait of Georgia stock has completely disappeared and there has been no assessment since 1987. Most of the commercial harvest from Canada comes from the Hecate Strait where stock assessments are considered suitably complete, up-to-date and robust. The
Hectate Strait Pacific cod fishery receives regular scientific monitoring and management has adopted scientific recommendations. There is currently no plan in place to reduce bycatch and the effects of trawling have not been addressed by fisheries management. Overall, the effectiveness of the Canadian Pacific cod management is deemed “moderately effective”.

What gear type was used to catch this fish? Is this an Atlantic or Pacific cod?

Atlantic cod are a seafood species to avoid. Pacific cod caught using pots, jigging, or bottom longlining are a “best choice”. Trawl-caught Pacific cod are of “moderate” conservation concern.

Contaminant levels do not warrant a consumption advisory.

No.