Photo: Brian Skerry
December 6, 2022 (BOSTON, MA) – The New England Fishery Management Council has adopted a new plan to rebuild the struggling Atlantic cod population to a healthy level by 2033. The plan now goes to federal fishery managers for approval. Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) released the following statement in response.
“The Atlantic cod population is struggling, and this vote is finally a step in the right direction,” said Allison Lorenc, Senior Policy Analyst at CLF. “After two failed attempts, this new plan will reduce fishing pressure to help cod recover while supporting fishing communities. Our hope is that this is the first of many decisions that will set cod on a path to a healthy population.”
Cod in the Gulf of Maine have been overfished for decades. The plan voted on today has a higher probability of success than previous plans, which gives this iconic fishery a chance to recover.
CLF experts are available for further comment.
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