Atlantic cod

Gadus morhua

5: Avoid How we work out the ratings

What to check for

Location

Northeast Arctic (Barents and Norwegian Sea)

Technical location

Atlantic, Northeast, Barents Sea, Norwegian Sea, Spitzbergen, and Bear Island

Caught by

Bottom trawl (otter)

Rating summary

The population of cod in the northeast Arctic is subject to overfishing and is being overfished. There is a management plan, which is responsive to stock status to an extent, but it has not protected the stock from overexploitation. Most Arctic cod catches are by otter trawls, which are likely to cause some damage to the seabed. There are measures to protect habitats and reduce bycatch in this fishery. However, there is unsustainable bycatch of endangered golden redfish, which is of significant concern.Rating last updated August 2025.

Technical consultation summary

The population of cod in the northeast Arctic is declining but remains above target levels. However, it is being overfished. The most recent stock assessment was carried out by the Joint Russian-Norwegian Arctic Fisheries Working Group (JRN-AFWG) in 2025 using data up to 2025. In 2025 the biomass was 330,486t, this is below MSY BTrigger (460,000t) and the halfway point between Btrigger and Blim (340,000t), but is above Blim (220,000t). The stock considered in an overfished state and there is concern for the biomass levels. Fishing mortality (F) decreased from a peak of 0.94 in the 1990s to a low of 0.29 in 2012. It has since increased to 0.627 in 2024. The F associated with Maximum Sustainable Yield (FMSY) is now between 0.4 and 0.6, depending on stock size, according to a Harvest Control Rule. For 2024, FMSY was set at 0.4. The current F is below Flim (0.74), which is the point at which fishing pressure would result in the stock falling to Blim. However, it is above the halfway point between FMSY and Flim (0.57), suggesting a concerning level of overfishing. There is a management plan, which is responsive to stock status to an extent. It is supported by a series of technical measures and appears to be well monitored. However, fishing pressure is above sustainable limits because the TAC is constrained to a 20% reduction and scientific advice is for more than this. Management has not protected the stock from overexploitation. Most Arctic cod catches are by otter trawls, which are likely to cause some damage to the seabed. There are measures to protect habitats and reduce bycatch in this fishery. However, there is unsustainable bycatch of golden redfish, which is of significant concern. ICES indicates that there is no sustainable catch level of this species. In 2021, over 10,000 tonnes were caught. Although other fisheries may take a higher bycatch (e.g. beaked redfish), trawlers targeting Northeast Arctic (NEA) cod and haddock are likely to have a significant impact on this species. Based on Marine Stewardship Council assessments for some certified cod, haddock and saithe fisheries, catches by certified fisheries appear to add up to over 2,000 tonnes. Therefore, bycatch by this fishery is very likely causing the population to decline and/or is preventing its recovery. The sea basin in this area can be up to 5,000m deep and contains a number of vulnerable marine ecosystems. Protections are in place, but more data is needed to confirm that trawling is not having long term impacts on VMEs.

How we worked out this Rating

The population of cod in the northeast Arctic is subject to overfishing and is being overfished.NE Arctic cod catches have fluctuated since the 1950s, exceeding 1 million tonnes in the mid-1950s, late 1960s, and mid 1970s. Recent catches have been around 500,000 tonnes.The most recent stock assessment was carried out by the Joint Russian-Norwegian Arctic Fisheries Working Group (JRN-AFWG) in 2025 using data up to 2025. JRN-AFWG consists of scientists from VNIRO (Russia) and IMR (Norway).The stock assessment defines reference points for fishing pressure (F) and biomass (B). For fishing pressure, there is a target to keep F at or below Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY). For biomass, there is no target. However, there is a trigger point (MSY BTrigger). Below this level, F should be reduced to allow the stock to increase. Because BMSY is not defined, the Good Fish Guide applies its own definition of 1.4 x MSY BTrigger.Spawning-stock biomass (SSB) declined from around 1 million tonnes in the 1950s to fluctuate around the point of reproductive impairment (Blim) throughout the 1960s-1980s. SSB subsequently peaked at over 2.2 million tonnes in 2013 and has been declining since following poor recruitment of young fish into the population. In 2025 the biomass was 330,486t, this is below MSY BTrigger (460,000t) and the halfway point between Btrigger and Blim (340,000t), but is above Blim (220,000t). Therefore, the stock is considered in an overfished state and there is concern for the biomass levels.Fishing mortality (F) decreased from a peak of 0.94 in the 1990s to a low of 0.29 in 2012. It has since increased to 0.627 in 2024. The F associated with Maximum Sustainable Yield (FMSY) is now between 0.4 and 0.6, depending on stock size, according to a Harvest Control Rule. For 2024, FMSY was set at 0.4. The current F is below Flim (0.74), which is the point at which fishing pressure would result in the stock falling to Blim. However, it is above the halfway point between FMSY and Flim (0.57), suggesting a concerning level of overfishing.JRN-AFWG advises that when the Joint Norwegian–Russian Fisheries Commission management plan is applied, catches in 2026 should be no more than 269,440 tonnes. This is 14% lower than the previous year's advice owing to the declining stock trend. It is expected to result in a 10% increase in SSB.Because SSB is below Bpa in 2026 there is no 20% limit on the annual change in TAC.It is noted that this assessment would normally have been carried out by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). However, in 2022-2024 the advice was conducted outside ICES, by JRN-AFWG, and should not be considered as ICES advice. However, the assessment and advice was produced following the methodology agreed at the ICES benchmark in 2021. This is due to Russian scientists being temporarily suspended from that body in 2022 and the Russian decision to withdraw from ICES in 2024.

Some appropriate management measures are in place. There is a management plan, but fishing pressure is above sustainable limits.Russia and Norway are the main countries catching cod in the northeast Arctic, accounting for about 90% of the total catch. The European Union, Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and the United Kingdom also catch smaller amounts of cod in this region.This stock is managed through the Joint Russian-Norwegian Fisheries Commission (JRNFC) management plan. ICES considers it to be precautionary. The goal is to maintain the cod stock at a level that allows for sustainable fishing, known as Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY). To determine the amount that can be caught, the plan has used a Harvest Control Rule since 2016. It calculates catch limits, called Total Allowable Catches (TACs), based on the size (spawning biomass) of the stock. These catch limits are then divided among the countries involved in fishing. The TACs can change by a maximum of 20% from one year to the next, unless the stock falls below a certain threshold. This stability helps to ensure the sustainability of the fishery even if the cod stock size fluctuates. 10% of the TAC can also be transferred between years.Currently, stock assessments are carried out by the Joint Russian-Norwegian Arctic Fisheries Working Group (JRN-AFWG) this is due to Russian scientists being temporarily suspended from the usual assessment body, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), in 2022 and the Russian decision to withdraw from ICES in 2024. Despite this change, the assessments still follow the agreed format and methodology of ICES, so this situation does not appear to be of concern for stock management.Between 2002 and 2008 there were high levels of unreported (IUU) catches, but since 2009 there has been close alignment between total catches and officially reported landings. From 2016 - 2020, TACs were set above scientific advice, but from 2021 to 2024 they have matched it. However, in 2025 TAC (340,000t) has been set 9% above advice. Overall, catches have been slightly below or equal to TACs, but were slightly above TAC in 2022 and 2023. Average catch from 2020-2024 was 642,998t - 88% of the advised limit.Therefore, management seems to be responsive to the status of the stock, has recently been following scientific advice, and catches have been overall compliant. However, reports note that the stock size has been decreasing in recent years due to low incoming recruitment and increasing fishing mortality (F). The reasons for low recruitment are unclear. The increase in F is partly due to the limit on TAC reductions and the transferring of quotas between years. The original advised reduction in TAC from 2023 to 2024 based on stock size was 37%, but was constrained to only a 20% decrease by the HCR. F is currently above MSY. Spawning stock size is approaching Bpa, below which recruitment may be impaired. If it falls below this level, the 20% constraint will be removed. Therefore, management has not fully protected the stock from overexploitation.In addition to the Harvest Control Rule described above, there are various other regulations. There is a minimum landing size to protect juveniles (44cm for cod and 40cm for haddock) and limits on how many undersize fish can be caught (15% for cod, haddock and saithe combined of the total catch). Bottom trawlers targeting cod and haddock in the northeast Arctic must use at least 130mm mesh size and have a sorting grid in the net, which help small fish and other species to escape. Some areas are closed to fishing to protect juveniles, and vessels that catch too many juveniles must move 5nm away from the location. Discarding of unwanted or below-minimum-size fish is considered to be negligible in recent years.Vessel monitoring systems are required on all Norwegian vessels, regardless of size, allowing real-time tracking of fishing locations and compliance with closed areas. Catches are reported electronically, which helps to monitor compliance with catch limits. The Russian fleet has 100% scientific observer coverage, which ensures catch data is accurate.Increased surveillance and monitoring at sea and in the air by Russian and Norwegian authorities, including greater participation by regulation-compliant fishing vessels, and greater cooperation from receiving port authorities, is reported to have practically eradicated Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing in the Barents Sea.A small part of the centre of the Barents Sea is beyond national jurisdiction and is therefore an area of high seas. It is known as “the Loophole”. Fishing here is managed through the Northeast Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) and by coastal states.

Most Arctic cod catches are by otter trawls, which are likely to cause some damage to the seabed. There are measures to protect habitats and reduce bycatch in this fishery. However, there is unsustainable bycatch of golden redfish, which is of significant concern.Most Arctic cod (around 70%) is caught by trawling. Most catches are by Russia and Norway. The fishery covers the Barents and Norwegian Seas.Bycatch of golden redfish is a significant concern in this area, mainly by trawlers. This is a long-lived species, vulnerable to the impacts of overfishing. It is on the Norwegian Redlist as a threatened (EN) species, indicating that it's at risk of extinction. Quite high levels of bycatch are allowed because this species cannot easily be distinguished from the more common beaked redfish. Up to 10% by weight is permitted for vessels over 21m, and 30% for smaller vessels. ICES indicates that there is no sustainable catch level of this species, and notes that measures to reduce bycatch of this species are essential. Area closures have not been successful in reducing bycatch.However, catches have been increasing in recent years. In 2021, over 10,000 tonnes were caught. Although other fisheries may take a higher bycatch (e.g. beaked redfish), trawlers targeting Northeast Arctic (NEA) cod and haddock are likely to have a significant impact on this species. Based on Marine Stewardship Council assessments for some certified cod, haddock and saithe fisheries, catches by certified fisheries appear to add up to over 2,000 tonnes. We assume that bycatch trends in uncertified fisheries are likely to be similar, albeit in a smaller quantities as certified fleets account for around 90% of NEA cod catches. Therefore, bycatch by both certified and uncertified fisheries is very likely causing the population to decline and/or is preventing its recovery.There may also be interactions with other endangered, threatened or protected species. Recorded bycatch includes ivory gulls, northern fulmars, Greenland sharks and porbeagles. It is not clear how this is affecting populations.The Arctic cod, haddock and saithe fisheries are the largest demersal fisheries in this area. Demersal trawls have contact with the seabed resulting in penetration and abrasion of habitat features. The impact of trawling on the seabed depends on the location and scale in which trawling occurs. For example, areas that are used to natural disturbance through tides and waves, are less sensitive to habitat impacts. Areas not used to mobile towed gears are typically more sensitive to trawling. This can include deeper waters and Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) like corals, sponges and sea pens.The sea basin in this area can be up to 5,000m deep and contains a number of VMEs. An estimated 3% of the Norwegian Sea ecoregion was subject to bottom trawling from 2018-2021, and 4.3% of the Barents Sea in 2018. This is a far lower pressure than areas such as the Celtic Sea, 52% of which was trawled from 2018-2021. However, 50% of the area of VMEs in the Norwegian Sea and adjacent waters overlaps with bottom-towed fishing, of which about 10% is estimated to be subject to relatively high fishing pressure.There are designated MPAs in Norwegian and Russian waters, within which all fishing is prohibited. Fishing below 1,000m in Norwegian waters is also prohibited. It is an offence for any fishing vessel to fish on or in close proximity to known areas of coral reef or coral garden. Norwegian vessels must report the presence of cold-water corals or sponges in a catch and then move 2-5 miles away to continue fishing - this is monitored through Vessel Monitoring Systems. This provides some level of protection, but research into locations of vulnerable habitats continues. MSC certifications are currently conditional on fisheries proving that trawling is not having a long term impact on VMEs.In recent years, changes in the ice cover due to ocean warming means that potentially more areas of seabed would be available for trawling which had not been trawled in previous years.Cod is the most important predator among fish species in the Barents Sea. The impact of removals of this species by fishing is unclear.

References

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