Landings of inshore or Gulf of Maine cod, already cut by 22 percent for the 2012 fishing year that ends April 30, could be further reduced by between 76.8 percent and 82.6 percent starting in May and covering the next three years, according to an announcement made Tuesday by NOAA's New England Regional Fishery Management Council.

Landings of offshore, or Georges Bank, cod were also projected to be reduced by 60 percent for the 2013 fishing year that begins May 1. The allowable catch of offshore cod has fallen by about 26 percent over the past two years.

The projected cuts in fishermen's landing limits for the 2013 season come after a new assessment of Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank cod stocks, which has not altered NOAA's scientific opinion of the dire condition of the most essential target of Northeast groundfishermen.

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