April 4, 2012

 

 

Federal officials expect a 22% cut in the Gulf of Maine cod catch that goes into force on May 1.

 

Although distressing to fishers, they had predicted that an 85% decrease in their quota was possible after a new study showed that cod was in worse condition than previously thought. Such a huge reduction would have wiped out the New England fleet.

 

The measure filed this week buys time for regulators and fishers to figure out a way to avoid enforcing devastating quota cuts, which appear certain for next year, according to reports.

 

Federal officials said they will conduct a new assessment of the state of the cod stock, including a more precise method to calculate the amount of cod being harvested by recreational fishers.

 

The new study will come in time for the 2013 fishing season.

 

Still, regulators do not think this will make a "profound difference" in findings on the health of the cod population, said Bill Karp, acting director of the federal Northeast Fisheries Science Centre.

 

Fishers are deeply skeptical of the 2011 findings because they believe it clashes with what they see at sea. Further, a 2008 study indicated that Gulf of Maine cod populations were strong.

 

In contrast, the 2011 data showed the fish were recovering - but so slowly that even if fishers did not catch a single cod through 2014, the cod population would not be able to recuperate to federally-mandated targets by that time.

 

Jackie Odell of the Gloucester-based Northeast Seafood Coalition affirmed that everyone must commit to determining the real status of the stock.

 

"It's nothing personal, but either the new assessment is dead wrong or the old assessment was dead wrong," Odell said. "There are a number of crucial scientific questions that must be answered."

 

The new 22% cut lowers the allowed cod catch from 8,500 tonnes in the 2011 fishing year to 6,700 tonnes this fishing year.

 

Regulators considered a cut to a mere 1,300 tonnes or a complete fishery shutdown to comply with federal fishery laws. They chose instead to end overfishing on cod in two years instead of one.

 

Meanwhile, environmentalists want a harsher decrease.

 

"Instead of a balanced approach what we see here unfortunately and to our disappointment is really an economic opportunity at the expense of the fishery," said Greg Cunningham, an attorney specializing in fisheries issues with the Conservation Law Foundation, MPBN reports.