New England Hearings concerning Northern Shrimp scheduled through March

Thu, 02/12/2015 - 11:45am

Northern shrimp, Pandalus borealis (top), and two species of striped shrimp (P. montagui and Dichelopandalus leptocerus bottom). (Photo by Cinamon Moffett, University of Maine)

Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts have scheduled hearings to gather public comment on the Public Information Document for Draft Amendment 3 for Northern Shrimp. On March 7, the Maine Department of Marine Resources is gathering feedback for this effort at the Samoset Resort, in Rockport, during the Maine Fishermen’s Forum.

The draft amendment was initiated to consider establishing a limited entry program for the northern shrimp fishery for use in the future, if and when the stock recovers and the fishery is reopened, according to a news release from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

While the fishery is managed through a total allowable catch and defined season, it remains an open access fishery and has experienced significant fluctuations in participation over the last 30 years.

This open access, coupled with concern about the health of the stock, led the Section to move forward on a limited entry program to further control effort in the fishery. A limited entry program will consider the appropriate number of participants in the fishery given biological, environmental, and economic considerations, the release said.

As the first step in the Commission’s amendment process, the goal is to gather information concerning northern shrimp and provide an opportunity for the public to identify and comment on major issues relative to the management of this species.

Following the initial phase of information-gathering and public comment, the Commission will evaluate potential management alternatives and develop Draft Amendment 3 for public review.

After the public comment period, the Commission will specify the management measures.

Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input either by attending public hearings or providing written comments. The PID is available at at asmfc.org/files/PublicInput/NShrimpDraftAm3PID_PublicComment.pdf or via the Commission’s website, asmfc.org, under Public Input.

Public comment will be accepted until 5 p.m., April 15, and should be forwarded to Mike Waine, Senior FMP Coordinator, 1050 N. Highland St, Suite A-N, Arlington, VA 22201; 703.842.0741 (FAX) or at comments@asmfc.org (Subject line: Shrimp PID). For more information, contact Waine at mwaine@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.

The hearings:

Maine Department of Marine Resources

Saturday, March 7 at 1 p.m.

Maine Fishermen’s Forum

The Samoset Resort by the Sea, Camden Room

220 Warrenton Street

Rockport, Maine

Contact: Terry Stockwell at 207.624.6553

Monday, March 30 at 6 p.m.

Casco Bay Ferry Terminal Conference Room

56 Commercial Street

Portland, Maine