NEW BEDFORD — NOAA Fisheries has opened a two-week comment window on the much-disputed multi-species fishing regulations and restrictions for the year starting May 1 in the Northeast.

Sharp cutbacks in the catch of cod and yellowtail flounder in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank have been recommended by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries regional administrator, John Bullard. Fishermen predict that smaller boats will be driven out of business because of the sharp reductions in allowable catch, up to 80 percent over the current year.

There are, however, increased catch limits for healthy stocks such as redfish and pollock.

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