The recent story about the latest “cod crisis” (“Is there a way to save both cod and fishermen?” Jan. 3) evokes memories of an earlier such period of great concern. More than a decade ago, dire warnings about the possible collapse of this crucial New England fishery prompted an outstanding story in The Portland Press Herald that deserves being reprinted now.

Reporter Edie Lau traveled to Norway to find out how that country had successfully dealt with plummeting cod stocks, a mainstay of their maritime economy throughout the country’s history. Speaking with fishermen, researchers and officials charged with fisheries regulation, she learned about steps taken to avert catastrophe.

Strict reduction of quotas and days at sea, mandatory use of gear designed to allow smaller fish to escape, and accelerated aquaculture efforts were some which I recall from her story.

Most importantly, she emphasized, Norwegians showed a strong “national will” to take the radical steps necessary that allowed cod stocks to eventually rebound to sustainable levels. (Waiting on the downtown Stavanger, Norway, ferry dock during one of our many trips there, my wife and I watched a young man jig up a half-dozen cod from 12 to 20 inches in two hours.)

Much-needed further verification may confirm that “worst-case” estimates are accurate here, compelling a rapid, perhaps immediate reduction of fishing pressure to protect the cod fishery from a biologic “point of no return.”

If radical cutbacks will inevitably risk putting more fishermen, boats and related services out of business, do we have the national will to act as decisively as the Norwegians? Extinction is forever.

James H. Maier is a resident of Scarborough.

 

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