Response to comments by NMFS on reference point estimation for Gulf of Maine cod by Butterworth and Rademeyer.

In a letter dated 17 January 2012 to the Executive Director of the New England Fisheries Management Council, scientists from the NMFS NEFSC at Woods Hole offer commentary on reference point estimation analyses for the Gulf of Maine cod in Butterworth and Rademeyer (2011). While some of these points are well made, they have in the main already been addressed by subsequent analyses reported in Butterworth and Rademeyer (2012). Specific responses are provided below. For ease of cross-reference, the original NMFS comments are copied below, with the responses entered in italics at appropriate points.