BOSTON (AP) – An independent team is expected to review scientific and commercial data to determine whether to grant federal protection for the Atlantic wolffish.
The Conservation Law Foundation says the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration review could lead to the first listing of a New England ocean fish species as endangered.
The Atlantic wolffish lives along the ocean bottom in deep waters off New England.
The conservation group says NOAA found information from a petition filed by the nonprofit group in October indicating that an endangered species listing may be warranted.
The wolffish have powerful jaws and teeth that can crush lobsters, urchins, clams, scallops and crabs.
Commercial fishing nets and dredges that are dragged along the ocean bottom have destroyed much of the fish’s habitat.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.