The agency said in a denial published in the Federal Register on July 10 that the current restrictions on cod fishing will “provide sufficient protection” to rebuild the stock.

The denial also states that the fisheries service intends to monitor updated information about the cod stock that will become available later this year. Regulators will make adjustments if necessary, the denial states.

Current restrictions on fishing cod were crafted “taking into account the needs of fishing communities, without compromising conservation objectives to prevent overfishing and rebuild the stock,” the denial states.

The strict quotas and low abundance of Gulf of Maine cod have made the fish difficult to find in New England seafood markets. Foreign sources remain relatively easy to come by. The fish is a preferred species for fish and chips.