Kerry letter to Greyson, Lubchenco, and Schwaab Calls for New Cod Data and Relief Plan



Senator John Kerry called recently for an immediate new stock assessment of cod in the Gulf of Maine and preparations for simultaneous economic relief in the event of a verified cod crisis.
In a letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Kerry called on NMFS “to immediately conduct a new assessment” with “complete information that has been developed with the consent of all stakeholders.”

“The most recent Gulf of Maine cod assessment threatens to further exacerbate a number of issues our fishermen already face, with potentially disastrous consequences,” Kerry wrote after a recent report showed a stock level of only 11,400 metric tons, 22,600 metric tons less than a previous assessment. “Our only option is to rapidly develop a response that is fair and sound and that our fishermen can trust.”

Kerry outlined immediate steps needed to develop a balanced and strong federal response to aid New England fishermen, including requesting that NMFS conduct a new assessment that includes additional sources of information and data, ensures the data used to set catch limits is as robust and accurate as possible, and has buy-in from the people whose livelihoods are most impacted by the results.

He also asked NOAA to undertake an end-to-end review of the stock assessment process that includes the analysis and recommendations of outside parties with the help and participation of industry leaders including the Massachusetts Marine Fishery Institute (MFI).

Senator Kerry requests NOAA work with him to develop an economic assistance package for fishermen and fishing communities if there is a significant change in the existing catch limits on Gulf of Maine cod, and urges the agency to take action to maintain the sustainability of the fishery and the Gulf of Maine cod stocks while the new assessments are being done.