Cod on the Rod: The Complex Science Behind Management of an Iconic Fish

About this episode

This episode explores the complexities of managing Atlantic Cod fisheries in the Gulf of Maine, highlighting research on distinct cod stocks and insights from experienced fishermen.

Here in New England, Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) is woven into the fabric of our coastal history. For centuries, this species has fueled economies, fed communities, and even left its mark on the map — a testament to the powerful connection between cod and the region it helped define. But just as cod shaped New England, human activity has shaped cod. Today, this historically significant fishery is tightly regulated in an effort to rebuild depleted stocks. And yet, effective management depends on understanding something researchers are still uncovering: not all cod are the same. In this episode of Time and Tide, we explore how scientists, fishers, and managers are rethinking what we know about Atlantic Cod in the Gulf of Maine. Managing fisheries has often been compared to managing a forest, except the trees are invisible and constantly on the move. When it comes to cod, that challenge is even more complex. Researchers at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) are leading a Sea Grant–funded study examining two distinct stocks of Atlantic Cod in the western Gulf of Maine. Principal Investigator Adrienne Kovach and Co-Investigator Linas Kenter share how winter-spawning and…

People in this episode

Guests: Adrienne Kovach, Linas Kenter, David Goethel

Topics covered

• fisheries management
• Atlantic Cod
• Gulf of Maine
• marine biology
• climate change
• fishing industry

Keywords

• Atlantic Cod
• fisheries management
• Gulf of Maine
• marine research
• climate impact
• fishing history

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of New Hampshire

Products: Atlantic Cod

Places: Gulf of Maine, New England

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