British cod stocks rebounding

Researchers say cod stocks around Britain have rebounded enough to permit small catches in the North Sea, The Times of London reported Saturday.

Cod fish numbers remain stable in the south and have increased in the central to western parts of the North Sea, said the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas, which advises fisheries.

"This is excellent news, reflecting scientific proof of what the fishermen had been reporting for some time," said Bertie Armstrong, of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation.

The Council previously had urged cod catches be cut to nothing, though governments have routinely ignored the council's warnings in favor of the needs of the fishing industry, the Times said.

European fisheries ministers are to meet in December to set quota levels for cod.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International

Citation: British cod stocks rebounding (2007, October 22) retrieved 28 March 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2007-10-british-cod-stocks-rebounding.html
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