Facilitating Development of Statistical Models to Improve Estimation of Incidental Cod Catch
Principal Investigator: Yong Chen (Zoology & Marine Science, UMaine)
Partners: NOAA, Maine Department of Marine Resources
Abstract: The Atlantic cod stock in the Gulf of Maine is currently near historically low population levels. Fishery reductions have caused the loss of many fisheries jobs and stressed Maine’s coastal economies. This proposal seeks support for a GA researching strategies to facilitate the development of statistical models to improve estimation of incidental Atlantic cod catch. These estimates will be incorporated into future stock assessments to aid in determining more sustainable fishing seasons and catch quotas to enable the rebuilding of the stock.