PORTLAND, Maine — Portland, Maine is set to host a meeting of the New England Fishery Management Council.
The meeting begins Tuesday and continues through Thursday. The council — an intergovernmental body that represents state and federal interests — will consider a request for emergency action regarding the Atlantic herring fishery.
The herring fishery has faced restrictions this year because of concerns about stock depletion. Herring fishermen are nearing their haddock bycatch limit for Georges Bank and are asking the council for emergency help. Exceeding the cap would effectively shut the herring fishery down. Many haddock fishermen oppose raising the bycatch cap.
Reports about scallops and groundfish are also on the agenda.