New Hampshire’s Congressional Delegation is pushing for a freeze on annual catch limits for Gulf of Maine cod, a vital fish stock for the state’s fishing industry.
In a joint letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce on Jan. 12, the delegation said they were concerned that a new assessment of the stock could lead to a sharp cut in the amount of fish the industry was allowed to catch, possibly cutting revenues to fishermen by 90 percent and devastating the industry.
“New Hampshire fishermen understand the importance of conserving the species that helped build and sustain New England for centuries,” the delegation said in the letter. “They are, however, rightfully concerned when conservation efforts are predicated on largely conflicting assessments. For these reasons we request an emergency assessment of the Gulf of Maine cod and an immediate freeze of current (annual catch limits) until a new survey can be completed.”
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