Department of Department of Fisheries and Fisheries and AquacultureAquaculture

2005 Cod Fillet Quality 2005 Cod Fillet Quality StudyStudy

Background Background InformationInformation

Cod quality has been a major issue Cod quality has been a major issue in the Gulf (4R3Pn) cod fishery.in the Gulf (4R3Pn) cod fishery.

There has been disagreement There has been disagreement between harvesters and between harvesters and processors over the quality of the processors over the quality of the harvested fish and the quality of harvested fish and the quality of the finished product.the finished product.

It was against this backdrop that FFAW It was against this backdrop that FFAW and DFO coordinated an experimental and DFO coordinated an experimental project that examined quality of fish project that examined quality of fish harvested using gillnet and hook and line harvested using gillnet and hook and line in 2004.in 2004.

Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (DFA), Western and Labrador regions, (DFA), Western and Labrador regions, decided to build upon the collected decided to build upon the collected information from the FFAW.information from the FFAW.

ObjectiveObjective

The objectives of this project were two The objectives of this project were two fold:fold:– First, to compare at-sea quality of First, to compare at-sea quality of

cod harvested using different gear cod harvested using different gear types at different soak times.types at different soak times.

– Secondly, to compare fillet quality Secondly, to compare fillet quality processed at different time intervals processed at different time intervals using the different gear types and using the different gear types and varying soaking times.varying soaking times.

MethodologyMethodologyProject DescriptionProject Description

DFA selected 3 fishers by public DFA selected 3 fishers by public tender.tender.

Fishers were instructed to fish at three Fishers were instructed to fish at three pre-determined locations in NAFO Area pre-determined locations in NAFO Area 4R.4R.

MethodologyMethodologyFishing Gear/ EquipmentFishing Gear/ Equipment

All vessels used in this project All vessels used in this project were classed in the >35’ were classed in the >35’ category. category.

The vessels used in this project The vessels used in this project are typical of those in commercial are typical of those in commercial cod fishing.cod fishing.

Survey VesselsSurvey Vessels

Fishing GearFishing Gear

Fishing gear was comprised of two Fishing gear was comprised of two fleets of 5 ½” gillnets, two strings of fleets of 5 ½” gillnets, two strings of hook and line and two cod pots.hook and line and two cod pots.

Cod pots were provided by DFA.Cod pots were provided by DFA.

MethodologyMethodologyAt Sea Data Collection/GradingAt Sea Data Collection/Grading

DFA employed 100% observers DFA employed 100% observers coverage for this portion of the coverage for this portion of the project.project.

The observer was required to record The observer was required to record at-sea quality of fish in each sample at-sea quality of fish in each sample in the following categories: in the following categories:

Length, alive, dead, spotted, Length, alive, dead, spotted, bleached, partially decomposed, bleached, partially decomposed, severely decomposed, and severely decomposed, and commercial discard.commercial discard.

After landing, all samples were weighed After landing, all samples were weighed and transferred to slush ice at each and transferred to slush ice at each respective plant for fillet quality respective plant for fillet quality grading.grading.

All fish were cut by a professional cod All fish were cut by a professional cod cutter assigned to the project.cutter assigned to the project.

MethodologyMethodologyProcessing Data CollectionProcessing Data Collection