PORTLAND, Maine — Maine shrimp trappers are almost finished participating in a state project to learn more about the prospects of the depleted fishery.
Shrimp trawlers and trappers are collecting samples for state regulators in the Gulf of Maine. The Maine Department of Marine Resources is paying four trawlers $500 per trip and allowing them to sell up to 1,800 pounds of shrimp per trip. It is also allowing five trappers to keep up to 100 pounds of shrimp per week for personal use.
The trawlers are expected to stop collecting samples when the shrimp are no longer carrying eggs. That should be in the middle of this month. Trappers will finish their work on Friday.
Fishermen from Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts formerly participated in the now-closed shrimp fishery.