Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick rejected a scientifically vetted regulation to help protect Atlantic cod Wednesday, citing concerns about the proposed rule’s interference with a national policy to achieve “optimum yield” of highly sought-after commercial fish species.
The regulation — known as Amendment 25 — was crafted by the New England Fishery Management Council and supported by conservation organizations that said it was essential to accurately monitor cod populations that continue to be overfished.
It was opposed by two fishing industry groups that said the amendment needed to be reworked in a more “deliberative and informed way,” including language about annual catch limits and other restrictions.
While the Commerce secretary has final authority over NOAA fisheries regulation, Lutnick’s action signals a shift in NOAA’s traditional deference to the regional fishery management councils, which are tasked with monitoring ocean fish species; collecting data on their status; and recommending to NOAA updates to federal fishery management plans, including catch limits.
