Scientists Fear Permanent Loss Of E Canadian Groundfish - CBC

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Scientists warn of 'doomsday' for fish
Last Updated Wed, 05 Nov 2003 17:14:16


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"Researchers with the Department of Fisheries and
Oceans have completed a complex study of the Eastern
Scotian Shelf ecosystem. They looked at birds, seals,
haddock, shellfish and other species.

Since the mid-1980s, groundfish such as cod and
haddock have been overfished and haven't made a
comeback. The scientists also say fish that are growing
are skinnier than before.

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Researchers also point to a drop in ocean temperature
that seems to have limited the growth of groundfish.
Other species more tolerant to cold water are taking
over.

The scientists say their study shows a possible
"doomsday scenario" for many fish populations unless a
real conservation effort gets underway to manage the
fishery."

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http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/11/05/fish_stocks031105

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1. Followup - More Detailed Story From Halifax Herald

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"A comprehensive ecological survey by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans shows that the last 30 years have brought significant change to the Eastern Scotian Shelf's ecosystem. The shelf - an area of about 108,000 square kilometres off the province's east coast - has endured a drastic drop in water temperatures, as well as fluctuating populations of marine life.

These are quite amazing results," Ken Frank, a DFO research scientist with the Bedford Institute of Oceanography, said in presenting the findings Wednesday. "Groundfish appear to have lost their grip. They're not as healthy as they were. It's not good news for them."

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Much of that is due to intensive fishing that peaked in the early 1970s when foreign fleets flocked to the region that stretches from the northern tip of the province to the south. Cod was virtually wiped out and placed under a moratorium in 1993, when groundfish landings reached historically low levels. Their fall allowed the rise of herring and other pelagics, a trend that is suspected of hampering the recovery of fish like cod and pollock since the smaller fish eat the eggs of the groundfish. The rise of pelagics also raises concerns that they will be fished to near extinction like some of the groundfish species, as fishermen put intense pressure on stocks that are now bountiful.

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The fishing industry is now targeting species at lower levels of the food chain, because of the lack of groundfish at the higher tropic levels."

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http://www.herald.ns.ca/stories/2003/11/06/f102.raw.html