On February 1, the Council recommended that NOAA Fisheries implement interim management measures in 2012 for Gulf of Maine cod to address changes in the stock status to overfished and overfishing is occurring as determined by the 2011 peer-reviewed stock assessment.  The Council recommended a range of catch levels for NOAA Fisheries to consider as part of the interim action including a reduction in the total allowable catch for both commercial and recreational fishermen and a possible commercial and recreational management measures for 2012, including opening of some closed areas to commercial vessels and a reduction in the bag limits and changes in size limits for the recreational fishery.
 
The NEFMC wants to provide another opportunity for commercial and recreational fishermen and others to provide input to help inform what management measures we ultimately adopt for the 2012 fishing year.
 
The Portsmouth Harbor Events and Conference Center is located at 100 Deer Street at Portwalk Place in Portsmouth, NH.  Parking is located directly across from the conference center, and costs 75 cents per hour.
 
If you are unable to attend, the meeting will be recorded and may be available for download from the Gulf of Maine Cod webpage at http://www.nero.noaa.gov/nero/hotnews/gomcod