Fishermen, retailers say Atlantic cod restrictions will affect consumers who buy local

Fishermen and dealers say new restrictions on commercial cod fishing in the Gulf of Maine will likely make local cod more expensive to New England consumers.

But industry sources also say supply from countries such as Iceland and Norway will keep cod in abundance at fish markets and fish-and-chip shops.

Maine dealers say local cod currently costs consumers about $9 to $13 per pound, and that could climb soon because of the new regulations. Non-local cod is typically a few dollars less expensive.

Federal regulators on Monday announced the closure of commercial and recreational cod fishing in parts of the Gulf of Maine. They say the fish's population is at an all-time low.