PORTSMOUTH, N.H. โ January 30, 2013 โ Fishermen say drastic catch limits endorsed by regulators Wednesday will destroy New England's groundfishing industry.
In its most dramatic move yet to protect dwindling stocks of cod, the New England Fishery Management Council passed a 77 percent reduction in the catch limit for Gulf of Maine cod.
The council's decision, which is expected to be backed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, cuts the annual catch for Gulf of Maine cod to 1,550 metric tons for the next three years, down from 6,700 metric tons in the past year.
The council also approved a cut of 55 percent for cod on Georges Bank, to 2,506 metric tons a year for three years.
The catch limits are set to take effect May 1, the start of the 2013 fishing year.
"This ruling will put many fishermen out of business," said Angelo Ciocca, president of Nova Seafood in Portland and part-owner of a few fishing vessels. "This is the end of the Gulf of Maine fishing industry. It's a sad day for New England, it's a sad day for fishing and it's a sad day for the country."
Fishermen who attended the hearing held by the fishery management council Wednesday said the limits are based on flawed science.
Read the full story in the Portland Press Herald