Cod stocks are failing in the Gulf of Maine, but a plan to rebuild those stocks is still up in the air.

The New England Regional Fishery Management Council on Wednesday by a 9-8 vote, rejected a plan to ban all cod fishing in the Gulf.

Instead, the panel sent the question back to the National Marine Fisheries Service to settle.

Seafood Consultant Jim Kendall says what the Fisheries Service will do is anybody's guess...

The Council debated the question for about 4 hours Wednesday in Hyannis before voting.

Two environmental groups this week blamed the Council and the National Marine Fisheries Service for allowing chronic overfishing and mismanaging the cod stocks.

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