1.   Because copepods are the main food of the young of top-of-the-line fish like cod, the cod population cannot recover, Pauly said.

2.   Cod populations in these three areas are severely threatened, and the amount of fishing is regulated by international conventions.

3.   Council members were regretful that their more modest fishing limits over the past three years had not stopped the crash of the cod population, forcing harsher measures.

4.   Now, Gulf of Maine cod populations are in the worst condition of all major commercial fish stocks.

5.   Scientists project that it will still take at least seven to eight years to rebuild the cod population.

6.   To date, restrictions on fishing have had some positive effects, especially in closed areas of Georges Bank where cod populations have begun to rebound.

7.   Scientists and fishermen are waiting for a banner breeding year to boost the cod population.