Federal regulators are reporting a record number of rebuilt fish populations in the U.S., even as problems continue to threaten the future of the high-profile New England fishing industry.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its annual report to Congress on Monday.
The report showed six more U.S. fish species once considered overfished rebounded to healthy levels in 2011. That brings the number of rebuilt fish stocks in the past 11 years to 27.
The report also said just 45 of 219 fish populations, 21 percent, are considered overfished. But 13 of those stocks are in New England, the most of any geographic region.
The industry in New England is absorbing recent, severe cuts brought on by problems with the populations of cod in the Gulf of Maine and yellowtail flounder in Georges Bank.
2012 The Associated Press