In its most dramatic move yet to protect dwindling stocks of cod, the New England Fishery Management Council passed a 77 percent reduction in the catch limit for Gulf of Maine cod.
The council's decision, which is expected to be backed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, cuts the annual catch for Gulf of Maine cod to 1,550 metric tons (MT) for the next three years, down from 6,700 metric tons in the past year.
The council also approved a cut of 55 percent for cod on Georges Bank, to 2,506 MT a year for three years.
The catch limits are set to take effect 1 May, the start of the 2013 fishing year.
"This ruling will put many fishermen out of business," said Angelo Ciocca, president of Nova Seafood in Portland and part-owner of a few fishing vessels. "This is the end of the Gulf of Maine fishing industry. It's a sad day for New England, it's a sad day for fishing and it's a sad day for the country."
Fishermen who attended the hearing held by the fishery management council Wednesday said the limits are based on flawed science.
Paul Vitale, who fishes off Gloucester, Mass., said he would rather see the groundfishing industry shut down while studies are done than let it limp along with severe catch limits.
"The economic disaster that's coming doesn't need to happen," he said. "I'll be going bankrupt. That's the plan."
Chris Chadwick, who fishes off Gloucester and Marblehead, Mass., said reducing the cod quotas hurts his family.
"All I'm trying to do is support my family. Reducing the quotas reduces my child's ability to go to college," said Chadwick, who said his family has been fishing since 1860. "What job out there today is going to support my family?"
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