NOAA sets new catch limits for four Atlantic cod stocks under revised management plan

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has finalized a rule updating how it manages Atlantic cod in the Northeast. Instead of treating cod as two broad groups, the agency now recognizes four distinct biological stock units: Eastern Gulf of Maine (EGOM), Western Gulf of Maine (WGOM), Georges Bank (GB), and Southern New England (SNE). This change aligns federal regulations with scientific assessments that show these populations behave differently and need separate tracking.

Why it matters: This action updates the regulatory framework to match current scientific understanding of cod populations. By splitting the stocks, managers can prevent one healthy population from being dragged down by limits set for a struggling one, or vice versa. It ensures that catch limits are specific enough to protect vulnerable groups while allowing fishing where stocks are robust.

Who it affects

• Commercial fishermen operating in the Northeast multispecies fishery, particularly those targeting cod under sector quotas or common pool rules

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This rule was issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under the Commerce Department; verify details against the final rule published in the Federal Register before making business or compliance decisions.

Agency: Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Source: Federal Register — read the official document