Restrictions Put on New England Cod Fishing

LINK: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/31/us/officials-back-deep-cuts-in-atlantic-cod-harvest-to-save-industry.html?pagewanted=2

Atlantic cod numbers are at an all-time low. Scientist say that the cod population is at 18 percent of what is considered a healthy population. The plan to cut back on cod fishing would cut down the catch to 1,550 metric tons a year, instead of the 8,000 metric ton limit set a decade ago. Last year the cod industry made about $80 million. The new limits could cut the profits by $25 million. The fishermen and their families are going to have to go other places for work. New technology is one of the reasons for the small cod numbers. Enhanced sonar technology and new net styles have not only produced huge numbers for the fishermen using them, but have also killed the predators that feed on cod as well. This has caused an environmental unbalance that has effected the whole ocean ecosystem. The government was forced to make these cuts after finally realizing the harm that has been done to the Atlantic Ocean due to overfishing.

Overfishing is a huge problem that oceans around the world are facing. My brother went to Alaska for a semester two years ago. He saw the effects of overfishing from first-hand experience. The boat he was on had to face strict catch limits and could only fish for a few days at a time when the fishery department allowed them to. Fish populations have made a rebound in Alaska in the past decade, but the story isn't the same for the cod on the East coast. Fishing limits are a vital part of keeping our ocean environments healthy for generations to come. This new limit had to be done at sometime. Unfortunately for the fishermen, it's now.