January 30, 2013 — The New England Fishery Management Council today approved a year-to-year cut of 77 percent on the limit for Gulf of Maine cod, and 61 percent for Georges Bank cod.
Regulators say the new restrictions are necessary to help the cod population rebound. But fishermen say the cuts will make it nearly impossible for them to make a living.
Ben Martens represents small boat fishermen in Maine. He says cuts are a necessary evil, but wonders if these have gone too far.
"It's better than shutting down the entire Gulf of Maine to commercial fishing," Martens says. "But it's still a dramatic decrease from what we had this year. And a really scary place for commercial fishermen."
The new catch limits will be in place for the next three years. Regulators are also considering dramatic cuts in catch limits for other types of fish.
Read and listen to the full story at Maine Public Radio