Cod stocks are at critical levels off the south coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, according to the new model used by the Department of Fisheries and Ocean, but several groups are highly critical of the new formula for estimating the number of fish.

According to DFO, the new model indicates there is less cod than once thought off the south coast. The specific area is known as 3PS, and extends from Cape St. Mary’s to just west of Burgeo and includes areas fished by St-Pierre-Miquelon harvesters…