Panel backs up dismal (Gulf of Maine) cod assessment

[jpak]

http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view/20111202panel_backs_up_dismal_cod_assessment/srvc=business&position=recent_bullet

FALMOUTH - Scientists are backing a dismal health assessment of Gulf of Maine cod that could have a devastating impact on the local fishing industry.

The Gloucester Daily Times reports that a peer review panel issued its findings Thursday during a meeting at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Science Center in Woods Hole.

The panel upheld an initial finding that even if all fishing ended on Gulf of Maine cod, the species wouldn’t rebuild by a 2014 federal deadline.

Ending fishing on cod could shut down fishing in the entire Gulf of Maine for other bottom-dwelling groundfish, since such fish swim among cod.

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[applegrove]

1. Is the Gulf of Maine the same thing as the Bay of Fundy? and if so why do Canadians and Americans

call it by different names?

[jpak]

2. The Gulf of Maine includes the Bay of Fundy - it's an arm of the Gulf that extends to Nova Scotia

...and New Brunswick

Part of the Gulf lies within the US maritime Exclusive Economic Zone (the "200 mile limit") part is Canadian EEZ.

The Canadians patrol the boundary with submarines - true :)

[dtexdem]

3. As cod is their witness.

;-)

[jpak]

4. LOL!!!!111

Massachusetts has a "Sacred Cod" hanging in their State House

:hi:

[KT2000]

5. Is this caused

by over-fishing or some other reason?

[jpak]

6. Overfishing - but climate change will eventually take its toll

:(

[KT2000]

7. OK - thanks

Just saw maps of the projected effects of warming in my area. By 2050 there will be no more snow pack - besides humans having no water, the salmon will no longer have rivers to reach their spawning grounds.
I just hope people are putting the pieces together and taking this all seriously.

[pscot]

8. There used to be a cod fishery in Puget Sound

but nets were allowed in the Sound back in the 70's and cod are pretty much all gone now, along with hake and pollock.