October 2, 2014 — Some scientists are also concerned by how the latest stock assessment was conducted. "Procedurally, this is highly unusual," says Steve Cadrin, a marine science professor at UMass Dartmouth, and a member of the New England council's scientific and statistical committee. He says the August assessment was unscheduled and carried out without the usual oversight and transparency, and this has led to mistrust.
Next month, federal fishery regulators are expected to implement emergency restrictions on the Gulf of Maine cod fishery. This follows a recommendation yesterday by the New England Fishery Management Council that action be taken as soon as possible to reduce cod mortality. But the plan was short on detail.
After lengthy debate, and much impassioned testimony, the New England Fishery Management Council opted to send a simple to federal regulators: "To reduce fishing mortality on Gulf of Maine cod for fishing year 2014, and that was it," says council spokesperson Pat Fiorelli.
Fiorelli says the emergency measures will apply for the next six months, and that more permanent rules for the fishing year starting next spring will likely be crafted at the council's November meeting.
The brevity of the request reflects the inability of council members to agree on more detailed plans – plans such as those recommended last month by a panel of groundfish experts, which urged a number of changes, including the closure of more inshore spawning areas.
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