December 24, 2014 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:
The states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts are seeking four shrimp trawling vessels and captains to collect northern shrimp samples in four regions of the Gulf of Maine (Eastern Maine, Midcoast Maine, Western Maine, and Massachusetts/New Hampshire region), beginning in mid- to late January, 2015, fishing approximately once every two weeks, until the shrimp are no longer carrying eggs, perhaps near the middle of March. There is a total of $10,000 available to pay the four project participants. Each participant will be required to conduct five research trips in one region, and will be compensated $500 per trip. Participants will also be allowed to land and sell up to 1,800 pounds of northern shrimp per trip.
In addition, Maine DMR is seeking five shrimp trapping vessels to collect northern shrimp samples, beginning February 1, 2015, approximately once every two weeks, until March 20, 2015. Trappers will be allowed to fish up to 10 traps each, hauled as often as necessary during the project, with a 100 lb weekly catch limit per vessel. Shrimp catches may be kept for personal use but not sold.
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.
Information on both solicitations can be found here. Please direct all inquiries and submissions to:
Maggie Hunter, ME DMR
PO Box 8
W. Boothbay Harbor ME 04556
margaret.hunter@maine.gov
Letters or e-mails must be received by 5pm, Thursday, January 8, 2015.