According to a report the restriction that comes with new rules for shrimp fishery in Maine could harm the ability of the fishermen especially in the winter time. New rules have been proposed for the Gulf of Maine that includes such options for the coming season as quotas and restrictions on where and when the small, sweet shrimp can be caught.
Under this new rule there could a bar or restriction on the fishermen who don’t have a history of fishing for shrimp. The plan is being drawn up following shrimp seasons that were abruptly cut short because fishermen caught too much shrimp too fast. The new plan aims to give more flexibility in managing the fishery.
Most of the fishermen believe that limiting the number of fishing boats is probably the best way to maintain shrimp populations while allowing fishermen to turn a profit. Maggie Raymond, executive director of Associated Fisheries of Maine, said that they have brought this fishery back from some very low levels and we’d like to have it sustainable.
The Maine Lobstermen’s Association, however, is opposed to limits on new fishermen. Patrice McCarron, executive director of the association, said that many lobstermen rig their boats to catch shrimp to supplement their income in the winter. He told that shrimp is the one fishery that’s left that still provides fishermen adaptability. The Gulf of Maine shrimp fishery typically accounts for about 2 percent of nation’s annual harvest. The Gulf of Mexico’s catch is about 40 times larger.
The proposed changes would open the door to several new management alternatives. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, which regulates the fishery, is taking public comment on the ideas until Sept. 30.
