October 25, 2016 — STONINGTON, Maine – It’s been 20 years since the ground fishing population collapsed in the eastern Gulf of Maine.
Now, researchers are optimistic that fisheries could be replenished in the future.
In the 1990s, halibut, cod and pollock populations from Penobscot Bay to the Canadian border diminished so rapidly the fishery collapsed. Over fishing has been cited as a factor in the fishery being depleted.
And for the past several years, researchers have been taking a fish census of sorts.
“And that is a sentinel survey which sending out commercial fishermen with commercial gear, but in this case with fish hooks, both long lines and jigs, to try to catch codfish,” said Robin Alden, executive director of Penobscot East Resource Center. The survey is a collaborative effort between Penobscot East and the University of Maine.
In fact, the long line is two miles long and used for trolling from the stern of the vessels, while the jigs are cast from the boats’ deck every few minutes.
“I think species diversity is always important, especially when you have coastal communities that depend on fishing for a living. It’s dangerous to rely on just one species,” according to Pat Shepherd, logistics manager for the sentinel survey.