Gerry Byrne, the fisheries minister for the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, is repeating his calls for a joint management regime with the federal government in the wake of reports that federal fisheries minister Diane Lebouthillier ignored advice from her officials on a management plan for the northern cod stock.

The decision shows a lack of understanding of the Newfoundland and Labrador industry, and the province, he said.

"The only way this fishery will be managed correctly is if there is joint management with Newfoundland and Labrador," Byrne is quoted as saying by CBC.

As previously reported by Undercurrent News, a memo from DFO officials to Lebouthiller, which surfaced as evidence in a federal lawsuit launched by the union that represents Newfoundland's inshore harvesters, shows that senior department officials recommended that she maintain a stewardship fishery with a maximum allowable harvest of 13,000t. Instead, Lebouthillier chose to end the 32-year-long moratorium on northern cod, set an 18,000t quota, and allow a share for offshore trawlers for the first time since 1992.

Lebouthillier, who is at a national Liberal caucus retreat in British Columbia this week, said she will always consider science and industry input when making decisions.

"I will always make decisions that protect the resource for future generations, with the advice of scientists but also people from the fishing industry, from people on the water. We mix all that together to get the best decision possible," Lebouthillier is quoted as saying by CBC.