PORTLAND, Maine - A multi-state regulatory commission is asking the public what it can do to manage the depleted Maine shrimp fishery.
The little pink shrimp have been largely unavailable to consumers since regulators shut the fishery down in 2013. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is collecting comments from the public until April 15 about how to manage the shrimp fishery until. Regulators will soon have to decide if there will be a fishing season for the shrimp in the winter of 2015-16.
Fishermen from Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts formerly fished for the shrimp. In recent years markets have been limited to shrimp caught on government-approved research trips. The price for the few available shrimp has increased as a result.
Regulators shut down the fishery because of population concerns.