Seven-day groundfish access

AI summary

Petitioners ask the Government of Canada to provide seven-day-a-week access to the recreational groundfish (food) fishery across all Newfoundland and Labrador zones for all residents regardless of zone. The government responds that 2026 rules set seasonal dates, removed boat limits, and permit seven-day fishing where stocks are healthy while protecting and rebuilding critical stocks.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. Consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

Petition to the House of Commons We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following: Whereas: The fishery plays an important role in the culture, history, and food security of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians When fishing windows are limited, it creates safety risks for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians because of weather conditions The Liberal Minister of Fisheries, Joanne Thompson from St. John's East, voted against Bill C-237, which would have helped move Newfoundland and Labrador towards seven-day-a-week recreational groundfish access and under more predictable conditions Therefore, we, the undersigned, call on the Government of Canada to: Stop the Liberal inequality and provide seven-day-a-week access to the recreational ground fishery for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, regardless of what zone they live in

Government response

Response by the Minister of Fisheries Signed by The Honourable Joanne Thompson Fisheries and Oceans Canada recognizes the significant role that cod plays in the lives of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Cod has been, and remains, an economically important and culturally significant resource, driving the creation of good jobs and economic growth in the province. On May 15, 2026, Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced new food fishery rules in Newfoundland and Labrador. This decision took into account the results of the open, public food fishery survey that received more than 9,500 responses, the largest survey participation in Fisheries and Oceans Canada history. The food fishery season will run annually from Memorial Day/Canada Day to Labour Day. The fall fishery has also been kept and will run from the second last weekend in September to the last weekend in September. For the first time, season dates are now set in advance to provide greater predictability and flexibility to fishers. The boat limit was also removed to allow greater flexibility to food fishers. The conservation of cod stocks must be our priority. Food Fishery Survey responses were clear: sustainability was a near-unanimous priority, with 95% of respondents emphasizing the importance of protecting access to the fishery for future generations. More than two thirds of respondents also indicated that management measures should reflect the health of local cod stocks. In zones 2J3KL, Northern cod is in the healthy zone. The new food fishery rules of a 7 days per week in this area are because of this healthy stock status. However, Northern Gulf cod in 4R3Pn and 3Ps cod both remain in the critical zone. Both of these stocks have rebuilding plans in place and it is essential that management decisions support these rebuilding efforts. 4R cod remains under commercial moratorium and has been since 2022. We can not increase fishing pressure on the 4R cod stock while commercial fishers are tied on, unable to fish. The fishery is a shared resource, and those that depend on the sea for their livelihoods need access to cod as well. As it stands under these current rules, the food fishery represents the largest fishing removal of the 4R cod stock, more than Food, Social and Ceremonial and commercial by-catch combined. To increase fishing pressure on the stock further is reckless, and unfair while commercial fishers are under a moratorium. Bill C-237 would have eliminated stock based fisheries management, treating all cod stocks the same. That would have meant that Northern Gulf cod and 3Ps cod that are in the critical zone would have been treated the same as Northern cod, which is in the healthy zone. If passed, this bill would have forced limitations on the food fishery in every area of the province and would have threatened commercial fisheries in Newfoundland and Labrador. Under Bill C-237, the food fishery would need to remain at three days per week, in all of Newfoundland and Labrador. The 2026 food fishery decision reflects the clear public feedback received, peer reviewed science, and the recognition that the health of cod stocks is critical to livelihoods and the economy in Newfoundland and Labrador.