Three Depleted Fishing Grounds Ordered Closed
WASHINGTON — Three prime fishing grounds off New England were ordered closed by the U.S. Commerce Department on Wednesday in an effort to rebuild depleted stocks of cod, haddock and flounder.
The emergency order, which will take effect Monday, shuts off about 6,600 square miles of ocean to virtually all commercial fishing until March 12. The order could be extended after that date.
The closed areas include waters in southern New England and parts of Georges Bank, traditionally the region’s most bountiful and important fishing area.
The order exempts fishermen whose by-catch, or the fish caught along with their prime catch, includes less than 5% cod, haddock or flounder. Such vessels, however, are few.
The order also bans New England fishermen, except those who catch very little cod, haddock and flounder, from using nets with mesh sizes smaller than six inches in other areas. The larger mesh allows juvenile fish to escape.
In New England, fishermen who have been struggling for years to make a living off depleted stocks reacted with alarm.
“We’re starving now,” said one, Christo Stamopoulos. Another, John Pereira, predicted the order would force desperate fishermen to work illegally in Canadian waters.
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