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

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 spring-spawning cod differ biologically, and why those differences matter as ocean temperatures change. In Act Two, we hear from longtime fisherman David Goethel, who brings decades of experience on the water to the conversation. He reflects on how groundfishing in the Gulf of Maine has changed over time and why collaboration between scientists and fishermen is critical to sustaining both the resource and the communities that depend on it. Finally, Renee Zobel, Marine Program Supervisor with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, connects the dots. What do these scientific discoveries mean for the future of fisheries management in New England, and how can management respond to a changing ocean? Whether you cast a line offshore or order a fish sandwich at your favorite local spot, this episode dives into more than cod biology. It’s a story about the enduring ties between coastal communities and the sea. Guest Speakers:  Linas Kenter, Ph.D., Aquaculture and Fisheries Research Scientist, New Hampshire Sea Grant and University of New Hampshire Adrienne Kovach, Ph.D., Professor Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of New Hampshire David Goethel, Commercial Fisherman, Research Biologist and Fisheries Manager Renee Zobel, Marine Program Supervisor, New Hampshire Fish and Game Hosted by: Brian Yurasits, Science Communication Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant Co-Hosted by: Erik Chapman, Executive Director, New Hampshire Sea Grant Produced by: Brian Yurasits Further reading: Understanding differential climatic and exploitative impacts on two Atlantic cod stocks in the western Gulf of Maine Endangered Species: Chronicles of the Life of a New England Fisherman and the F/V Ellen Diane Atlantic Cod – NOAA Species Directory New Hampshire Sea Grant works to enhance our relationship with the coastal environment to sustain healthy and resilient ecosystems, economies, and communities through integrated research, extension, education, and communications efforts. Based at the University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Sea Grant is one of 34 programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program, a state-federal partnership serving America’s coasts. Learn more by visiting: seagrant.unh.edu University of New Hampshire is an equal opportunity employer, learn more: https://extension.unh.edu/civil-rights-statement