Fishermen Protest Cod Fishing Restrictions In Gulf Of Maine

Federal regulators announced yesterday new restrictions on cod fishing in the Gulf of Maine — essentially banning all commercial fishing of cod for the next six months.

Regulators will decide whether to make the restrictions permanent before the next fishing season begins in May.

Fishermen say this will put an end to their livelihoods and many question whether the scientific assessment of the cod population is really accurate. But researchers say years of over-fishing and increasingly warmer waters leave few options.

Matt Mullen, Northeast director for the Environmental Defense Fund.

Vito Giacalone, policy director for the Northeast Seafood Coalition and a long-time fisherman out of Gloucester.

NOAA: Statement By NOAA Regional Administrator John Bullard