WASHINGTON – The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has approved an update to the Multispecies Fishery Management Plan developed by the New England Fishery Management Council. The plan is to improve management of the chronically overfished Atlantic cod population and rebuild the historic New England fishery by incorporating new genetic information and requiring 100% observer coverage, according to a June 30 news release.

For more than 40 years, Atlantic cod has been managed as two distinct populations: Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank. Recent studies, however, show there are four genetically distinct populations: Eastern Gulf of Maine, Western Gulf of Maine, Georges Bank, and Southern New England. Using new genetic data to count and manage each population individually is a more effective way to reduce overfishing, prevent collapse, and help rebuild fish populations, the NMFS said.

“Sound science is the foundation of good management. We commend the National Marine Fisheries Service for integrating new genetic data to create forward-looking policies for one of New England’s most iconic and economically vital fisheries,” said Gib Brogan, Fishery Campaign Director for Oceana, in the release. “Using this new genetic information will lead to better management within each population of Atlantic cod to prevent overfishing, reduce the risk of collapse, and rebuild fish populations for future generations.” 

In addition to the updated science supporting management, the NMFS set a target this year for every vessel in the New England groundfish fishery to have an observer on board while fishing. 

Fishery observers are trained scientists who collect information about catch, ensuring every fish counts against overfishing limits, and identify and catalog bycatch (the incidental capture—and often waste—of non-targeted fish and animals) to help guide management decisions. 

This is a major change for the fishery, which as recently as five years ago had only two out of every five vessels (40%) observed.

“This is a huge step forward toward the long-term sustainability of Atlantic cod and the groundfish fishery here in New England,” said Brogan. “Having a fishery observer on every boat means that every fish will now be counted, and that those counts will be properly applied to quotas to prevent overfishing, reduce bycatch, and ultimately rebuild this fishery. This is especially important for Atlantic cod recovery, which has been undermined by inaccurate data that makes it less fair for those fishing by the rules.”

Unobserved or partially observed fisheries are known to compromise sustainable management through inaccurate counting of fish and bycatch as well as the “observer effect,” where vessels with observers on board have been shown to fish differently than those that are unobserved. Fishery managers closed this gap for New England groundfish by implementing 100% observer coverage this year.