December 5th, 2016 — The following was released by the Maine Department of Maine Resources:
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and the DMR are seeking eight shrimp trawling vessels and captains to collect northern shrimp samples in three regions of the Maine coast (three vessels in Western ME, three in Mid-coast ME, and two in Eastern ME), beginning in mid- to late January, 2017, fishing once a week for eight weeks until mid- to late March. Each participant will be required to collect samples each week in one region, and will be allowed to land and sell up to 1,200 pounds of northern shrimp per trip. There will be no further compensation. Selection preference will be given to applicants using a size-sorting grate (designed to release small shrimp). Highest selection preference will go to applicants who will participate in a compound grate study.
In addition, we are seeking five shrimp trapping vessels and captains to collect northern shrimp samples in two regions of the Maine coast (four vessels in Mid-coast ME, and one in Eastern ME), beginning January 30, 2017, once a week, for eight weeks until March 26. Each trapper will be allowed to fish up to 40 traps each, hauled as often as necessary during the project. Participants will be allowed to land and sell up to 500 pounds of shrimp per week. There will be no further compensation.
The purpose of the project is to collect northern shrimp samples during the winter period when the shrimp are in inshore waters, to collect data on the timing of the egg hatch, and the size, gender, and developmental stage of the shrimp. We also hope to collect data on the performance of the compound size-sorting grate.
Please see the attached announcement for details on the project, how to apply, the application deadline (Dec. 19, 2016), and the selection process. Please contact me if you have trouble opening the attachments. This information is also available on our web site at http://www.maine.gov/dmr/science-research/species/shrimp/winter2017.html .
Maggie Hunter
Margaret Hunter, Webmaster and Marine Resource Scientist, Sea Urchin and Northern Shrimp programs
http://www.maine.gov/dmr/index.htm
Tel: (207) 633-9541
Fax: (207) 633-9579
Maine Dept. of Marine Resources (DMR)
PO Box 8
West Boothbay Harbor, ME 04575