A Net Loss for Idled Cod Fishermen

The moratorium on cod fishing has put thousands of Newfoundlanders out of work, but many veteran fishermen are reluctant to give up the livelihood they know best to retrain for other jobs.

“I’m too damned old to be retrained,” said John Warren, 58, as he and four fellow fishermen discussed their plight in this old harbor town.

“People think we’re lazy,” added Leonard Picco, referring to claims that fishermen are content with the modest payments they get to compensate for the moratorium. “They’re taking away your life--that’s what they’re doing. You’re lost. You don’t know where to turn.”

Besides, they are convinced cod stocks will rebound to previous levels.

At the province’s Fisheries Department, officials also think cod will make a comeback, but they doubt stocks will approach their former levels. They talk cautiously of a partial lifting of the moratorium in a couple of years.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty, a lot of debate,” said Alistair O’Reilly, assistant deputy fisheries minister. “There’s no question there are some encouraging signs. Some people say, ‘Let’s go full-speed ahead, start the fishery back up tomorrow.’ Others say, ‘Let’s give it 10 years.’ ”

Even if the moratorium eventually is lifted, the cod industry will never again employ as many people as before. O’Reilly said the government faces tough choices on reducing the number of licensed boats and changing fishing practices in order to conserve stocks.