"Gulf of Maine Fishermen Face 6-Month Cod Ban"

"In an effort to halt dramatic declines in the cod population, federal officials overseeing the fishing industry on Monday announced unprecedented measures that effectively ban all commercial fishing of the region’s iconic species in the Gulf of Maine.

The new rules, which fishermen say will be devastating for their livelihood, will take effect this week and last for at least the next six months.

They expand areas where commercial fishing for cod was already banned and now also apply the ban to recreational fishermen. The restrictions reduce the allowed accidental catch of cod to just 200 pounds per boat, tighten reporting requirements, and reduce the size of nets that fishermen are allowed to use."

David Abel reports for the Boston Globe November 10, 2014.

SEE ALSO:

"Regulators Ban Cod Fishing In New England As Stocks Dwindle" (NPR)