Last week, a group of scientists met at Woods Hole and backed the preliminary analysis of the area’s cod stock prepared by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which oversees fishing in federal waters. The analysis, released last month, asserted that even if all fishing of Gulf of Maine cod was prohibited, it would be unlikely that the stock would be rebuilt by 2018, some four years after NOAA had expected cod to rebound to healthy amounts.

The analysis contrasts with a 2008 NOAA report that showed cod stock on the rebound. But the new report suggests that the previous assessment may have overestimated the amount of cod in the sea by nearly 300 percent. NOAA conducts its research with ocean trawlers, uses academic scientists to study fishing stocks, and incorporates statistical reports of fish landings submitted by fishermen and seafood dealers into its reports.

In recent weeks, fishermen have called for the government to review its latest findings and said any new regulations could have a devastating impact on the local fishing industry.

Read the complete story in The Boston Globe