Massachusetts Policy on Atlantic Cod in the Gulf of Maine: Failure of the Quota System and Examination of a Fish Tax, Poster 21

Over the course of the last two centuries, the Atlantic cod went from the most plentiful fish off the coast of Massachusetts to the most depleted fish species. The quota system was implemented in 2006; however, it failed to... [ view full abstract ]

Over the course of the last two centuries, the Atlantic cod went from the most plentiful fish off the coast of Massachusetts to the most depleted fish species. The quota system was implemented in 2006; however, it failed to curtail overfishing in the region and, according to the 2014 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) study, in the Gulf of Maine the Atlantic cod population was between 4% - 5% of the maximum sustainable yield.       

The purpose of this research paper was to examine why the quota system failed and to explore complementary policy adjustments to curb the decimation of the Atlantic cod in the Gulf of Maine. In my research paper, I argue that a fish tax, added to the current quota system, would be a more effective policy than consistently cutting quotas. A tax on cod could provide subsidy benefits for local fishers and increase the demand for different species of groundfish with more sustainable populations. My research was based on primary sources for Atlantic cod population estimates, primarily from NOAA and the New England Fishery Management Council. I focused on the Gulf of Maine on the north shore of Massachusetts, but results are relevant for other areas as well.