DURHAM, N.H. — Commercial fishermen are being allowed to catch smaller cod, haddock and other groundfish in New Hampshire coastal waters.

The new rules go into effect Monday and will be in place for 180 days. They’re designed to complement similar federal rules that also go into effect Monday in federal waters.

The changes follow a decision by federal fisheries officials in May that slashed the commercial quotas on several groundfish species in New England.

Since a fisherman’s entire catch — harvested and discarded fish — count toward commercial quotas, federal officials reduced the minimum size limits of some fish to allow more of the fish currently being discarded due to minimum size limits to be harvested and sold.


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