Shrimp Season Starts January 22 but Catch Limits are Way Down

The Maine shrimp season will get underway January 22 for trawlers and February 5 for fisherman who use traps. This year the catch limit has been greatly reduced by 74%. After scientists discovered the shrimp population may be at risk, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission set a catch limit at 1.38 million pounds, 26% of last year’s limit.

Trawlers will be allowed to harvest on Mondays and Wednesdays and trap users will be limited to 800 pounds per boat. Last year the price for shrimp was 96 cents per pound but with the limits this year the price is expected to go higher. Maine Marine Resources Commissioner Pat Keliher wanted a higher catch limit but he was outvoted 2 to 1. Maine has about 90% of the shrimp landings in the Gulf of Maine.

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