Does the Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) Have a Future In The Gulf of Maine?
Brown University Center For Environmental
Studies
Spring 2003
Commercial and Recreational Trends Together
Eric.Brazer@Alumni.Brown.edu
Page Last Updated: 5/16/2003
Recommendations for Cod Regulations
After drawing my conclusions I propose the following recommendations for
increasing the effectiveness of cod regulations:
§
Create maximum legal size requirements
It is widely known that a large female cod will produce more eggs than
a medium female cod. Therefore there should be a maximum legal size requirement
to prevent fishers from catching the largest cod who happen to be those
who produce proportionately more offspring. This maximum legal length
could be flexible year-to-year depending on the juvenile cod population
and the outlook on the juveniles in the years to come. This regulation
should occur for a minimum of 10 years (2-3 generations) before review.
§
Increased permanent and seasonal "No-Take Zones".
From my research "No-Take Zones" appear to be effective at replenishing
fish populations. Permanent "No-Take Zones" should be developed
in areas that are known as major spawning grounds. Seasonal "No-Take
Zones" should be increased in number and rotated throughout the Gulf
of Maine during the entire calendar year, not only during specified months.
This regulation should occur for a minimum of 10 years (2-3 generations)
before review.
§
Create increased long-term regulations
The 4-5 year age class of cod is the target for commercial fishermen.
They are the most numerous age classes and make up the bulk of the population.
Therefore the management regimes are geared towards these year classes.
Regulations that only have a life of a year or two defeat the purpose-
the juveniles that the regulations are saving in the first year are left
vulnerable only one or two years later. Sexual maturity is reached between
the ages of 2 and 4. Regulations are geared towards allowing these fish
to spawn at least once before they are of legal size to be caught. Current
regulations should be amended to have a minimum 4 or 5 year lifespan.
Future regulations should also have the same lifespan. Regulations should
not be able to be terminated early except in extreme circumstances where
the population appears to be flourishing. However, there should be a time
limit where regulations should not be terminated for any reason (for example,
for 10 years after a previous decline in landings).