Portsmouth, NH – The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Northern Shrimp Section approved a 152-day fishing season for the 2007-2008 northern shrimp fishery, a 1-day increase from last year’s season. The approved season was based on recommendations of the Northern Shrimp Technical Committee and Advisory Panel.
“Our efforts to reduce fishing mortality in the early 2000’s continue to provide an above-average abundance of shrimp for the fishery,” stated outgoing-Section Chair Ritchie White from New Hampshire. “By approving another five-month fishing season, we are able to maintain improved harvesting and marketing opportunities.”
The Section also made a conditional commitment to set a fishing season for 2008/2009 that spans from December to April. The number of fishing days within that time frame may be adjusted based on the 2008 stock assessment. Because of low recruitment in 2005 and 2006, the 2004 year-class may be the only one to support a fishery in 2008/2009. If the 2004 year-class weakens because of environmental factors or fishing pressure this season, the Section will consider reducing the number of fishing days next season. “The Section remains hopeful that the strong 2004 year-class will carry through to the 2008/2009 season to support continued economic benefits and stability to harvesters and processors,” continued Mr. White.
The 2008 fishing season, which is the same for mobile and trap gear, will be open seven days a week from December 1, 2007, through April 30, 2008.
The northern shrimp fishery is jointly regulated by Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine through the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Northern Shrimp Section. The cooperative management program has been in place since 1972 and is currently managed under Amendment 1 to the Northern Shrimp Fishery Management Plan. For more information, please contact Braddock Spear, Northern Shrimp Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at (202) 289-6400 or bspear@asmfc.org.