| Summary: | nose Harris hopes further cuts unnecessary Continued from page 1 "That is such a heavy mortality rate that the stock does not grow." While he said he hopes the quota will not have to be reduced below 190,000-tonnes, he admitted that the 190,000-tonne quota is "holding steady" and will produce a mortality rate of about 30 per cent. "I think that's stretching it to the limit. It all depends on how accurate the mortality rate is." Dr. Harris admitted it was difficult for his panel to get a handle on the effects of foreign overfishing on the northern cod outside Canada's 200- mile economic zone. At the same time, he suggested the current catch rate of 235,000 tonnes could be sustained if there was no foreign overfishing. He said the panel, which is ex- [reverse] pected to have its final report con- cluded by the end of the year, will be taking a more indepth look at such things as the effects of foreign over- fishing and the growing seal popula- tion which is now estimated at about 4.5 million animals. Fortunately, he said, while seals consume a very large amount of fish, the bulk of it is not cod. However, he said there should be a close look taken at how much caplin is con- sumed by the seal herds because cod depends on caplin for food. FPI seeking inshore cuts Continued from page 1 But he suggested it might be time for the inshore fishery to take on some of the burden. "This year the offshore bore the brunt of the entire reduction, and the inshore allowance . set at 115,000 . has not been cut in recent years." When questioned about recent statements by the federal Liberal fisheries critic, George Baker, Mr. Young became agitated. "Almost every recent statement by that particular gentleman is serv- ing no useful purpose in this debate." He singled out as being partic- ularly irksome Mr. Baker's com- ments that the federal government should not grant FISHERY ZONES This map shows the major Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization zones which are the major fishing grounds for the northern cod. The zones most ...
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